Opening of the sugar factory in Komenda

About one month ago the New Komenda Sugar Factory was inaugurated. Komenda has had a sugar factory almost as big as the new one many years ago, but it had to be closed in the 1980s because of mismanagement.

Now the government of Ghana under President Mahama decided to build a new sugar factory in Komenda. With the help of the Indian Export and Import Bank this project was realized in the last few years. It shall provide hundreds of new jobs and offer an economic revival to the community. That is at least the hope. A part of the sugar is going to be exported.

Sharifa, James and I went to the opening ceremony. The president and many other important Ghanaian and Indian people gave a speech. There were also several interesting music and dance performances. A big colourful event, almost everyone from Komenda has been there.

My personal highlight was that everybody was allowed to visit the factory itself. I saw the big group of buildings almost every day for several months when I passed by in a car. I could follow all the changes during the building process. It was something very special to now see the inside with its gigantic machine designs and engineering rooms as well as the impressing cooling system.

Unfortunately in the last few weeks I heard some messages of technical difficulties. I hope, that they can be solved soon and the factory can support the community of Komenda.