Kumasi: Mr James Osei, Assembly Member for Manso Mem Domi Electoral Area, has voiced serious concerns regarding the current state of the Manso Mem Palm Oil Extraction Facility in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region. He has described the facility as a 'wasted investment' that is rapidly declining after remaining unused for almost a year.
According to Ghana News Agency, the facility was inaugurated on December 4, 2024, by former District Chief Executive Mr Clement Opoku Gyamfi, in collaboration with local traditional leaders. It was intended to serve as a central hub for processing palm oil, providing a significant economic boost by creating hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities for the youth in Manso Mem and its neighboring communities.
However, less than a year after its grand opening, the facility stands idle. Its costly machinery is now rusting, and the surrounding site is being overtaken by weeds. This situation has led to widespread disappointment among residents who had high hopes for job creation and improved living standards through the project.
During a recent media engagement after inspecting the site, Mr Osei expressed deep concern over the neglect, warning that continued disuse could lead to a total breakdown of the machinery. "This facility was meant to transform the lives of our farmers and the youth, but today it is rotting away in the bush. The machines are rusting because they have not been used. Government has spent millions of cedis here, and to see it abandoned is heartbreaking," he lamented.
Mr Osei attributed the project's failure to the District Assembly's inability to connect water to the facility, which is essential for its operations. "All this is happening because water was not connected. It is shocking that such a small but crucial step has been overlooked. If urgent action is not taken, this project will collapse completely," he warned, urging for immediate measures to be taken to revive the facility.
