Three arrested over theft of critical equipment at Komenda Sugar Factory
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of vital machinery from the Komenda Sugar Factory in the Central Region, as police intensify investigations into the incident.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while efforts are underway to recover the stolen equipment and identify any additional individuals who may have been involved in the operation.
The theft involved key components of the factory's utility and water treatment systems, raising concerns about the security of the facility and its operational readiness.
Information gathered indicates that seven industrial motors were removed from different sections of the factory. A large spray pump motor, however, was reportedly abandoned at the scene.
The stolen equipment includes a primer motor from the spray pond cooling system, two pumps from the water reservoir station, a pump from the factory wastewater station, a pump from the fresh water pumping station, and a firefighting pump used for emergency operations.
The loss of the equipment has affected critical aspects of the factory's infrastructure, including water management, processing operations, and emergency response systems.
A representative of West Africa Agrotech Company Limited, a management partner of the factory, confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details, citing ongoing investigations by the Ghana Police Service and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
However, internal communications sighted by this reporter suggest management is deeply concerned about how the equipment was dismantled and removed from the facility despite the presence of security personnel.
According to the communication, management questioned how such a large scale operation could have taken place without detection while security officers were on duty.
A security officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that security personnel stationed at the factory are owed 20 months of salary arrears by the government. The officer claimed that despite the prolonged delay in payment, staff have continued to report for duty.
The allegations have sparked concerns about whether the unpaid salaries may have affected morale and security operations at the facility.
Sources familiar with the investigation also alleged that management encountered delays after reporting the theft to the police. According to the sources, officers initially indicated that the CID investigator assigned to the case was unavailable and asked management to return at a later date.
The sources further claimed that management had to provide fuel for a police vehicle to transport investigators to the factory, while forensic examinations were reportedly delayed due to court commitments and the workload of the assigned officer.
The theft has left parts of the factory's firefighting and water infrastructure compromised, with management expressing concern about the potential impact on future operations.
The incident comes just weeks after the Komenda Sugar Factory marked the 10th anniversary of its inauguration on May 30, 2026. Despite significant investment and several attempts at revival, the factory has remained largely inactive for much of the past decade.
Investigations into the theft are ongoing.