Plantain traders and workers at the Agogo One District One Factory (1D1F) Plantain Processing Factory in the Asante Akyem North Municipality are appealing to authorities to fast-track the approval process by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to enable the facility to operate at full capacity.
Their appeal follows the layoff of 35 workers due to delays in securing the final certification required for large-scale production.
Speaking to Adom News, the traders and affected workers explained that the factory was established to process plantain into flour and other value-added products. However, without full regulatory clearance, operations have stalled, leaving employees and suppliers uncertain about the future.
They said the delay has disrupted business for plantain traders who had anticipated a ready market for their produce. According to them, swift intervention by the FDA would allow the factory to resume operations, create employment opportunities, and reduce post-harvest losses.
The processing plant is part of the government’s One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, introduced to promote industrialisation and address challenges such as high rates of plantain spoilage due to inadequate storage and processing facilities.
Once fully operational, the factory is expected to generate jobs for residents and provide a stable market for farmers in Agogo and surrounding communities, thereby strengthening the local economy.
Although there were earlier indications that the facility would commence operations in 2024, final certification remains pending before commercial production can begin.
Director of the factory, Obeng Poku, also told Adom News that relevant stakeholders must support efforts to secure the necessary approval and revive the project.
