The Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang, has called on government to urgently revamp the defunct Northern Star Tomato Factory at Pwalugu to boost local production and reduce dependence on imports.
His appeal follows a recent decision by Burkina Faso to ban the export of tomatoes, a move he says presents a strategic opportunity for Ghana to strengthen its domestic tomato industry.
The chief made the call when the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, paid a courtesy visit to the Talensi Traditional Council as part of his working tour of the Upper East Region.
Addressing the Minister and his delegation, Tongraan Nanlebegtang stressed that the long-abandoned Northern Star Tomato Factory, also known as the Pwalugu Tomato Factory, remains a critical asset that could transform the local economy if revived.
“The defunct Pwalugu Tomato Factory is in my Traditional Area, and we have on many occasions appealed for government support to revamp it as soon as possible,” he said.
He noted that the timing of the appeal was particularly crucial, given the recent development in Burkina Faso, which has disrupted the steady inflow of tomatoes into Ghanaian markets.
“Now that Burkina Faso has placed a ban on the export of tomatoes from their country, I believe that if our farmers are supported, they can produce enough tomatoes to feed the factory,” he added.
The Paramount Chief emphasized that reviving the factory would not only provide a ready market for local farmers but also create jobs, boost incomes, and stimulate broader economic activity within the Upper East region and beyond.
He further indicated the potential of the region to become a major tomato production hub if farmers are given the necessary support, including access to improved seeds, irrigation, and extension services.
The Minister was in the region as part of his mandate to tour mining operations in the Upper East Region to strengthen oversight of the extractive sector.
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