Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) has called on President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to consider establishing a watermelon factory in some districts of the Upper East Region when he takes over the mantle to run the country.
The region is fast becoming a watermelon growing region in the country. However, due to lack of ready market, farmers in the sector experiences post harvest loses yearly.
NORPRA’s National President, Bismark Adongo Ayorogo in an interview on A1 radio’s ‘Zina Yela’ show, Wednesday, said if factories are set up to produce watermelon juice for import and export, many individuals will be employed. He added that the New Patriotic Party’s 1 village 1 dam policy in the northern sector when implemented will boost watermelon and other crop farming which will go a long way to engage the teeming unemployed youth in the region in a year round farming.
The civil society organization also entreated the incoming NPP government as part of its 1 district 1 factory policy to consider revamping the defunct Northern Star Tomato factory, the meat factory and the rice factory all in the upper east region.
Speaking on oil revenue act, the group urged the next government to consider increasing the percentage of oil revenue to the region which he said is woefully inadequate considering the poverty level of the region.
“Our findings were that regions such as Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Western and Brong Ahafo regions received about 20, 30, 50 38 and 60 percent while the Upper East region received only 3 percent of the oil monies.”
On the overly talked about Pwalugu multipurpose dam to produce hydro electric power, irrigation for farmers and flood management system when constructed, Mr. Ayorogo implored the next government to retrieve the USD 500 million from the Mahama administration meant for the project.
Mr. Ayorogo who expressed regret over the actions of the John Mahama government for its failure to execute successfully execute the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) projects stated that Nana Akufo-Addo will be described as a second Jesus only if he implements projects of SADA.
By: Joshua Asaah|A1radioonline.com|Ghana
