Yusif Sulemana, the Ranking Member on the Trade and Industry Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, has issued a stern warning to foreign companies against entering into contractual agreements with the Trade Minister for the Komenda Sugar Factory without following due process.
According to him, any foreign company that is going into any contractual agreement with the Minister without due process should be aware that the NDC administration will abrogate the contract.
Sulemana accused Trade and Industry Minister K.T. Hammond of attempting to sell the Komenda Sugar Factory to an Indian-owned company.
Drawing parallels to the previous drill ship saga, Sulemana remarked, “We know the history of the Minister of Trade. We were in this country when he sold our drill ship, so I will not be surprised that he is on his way to sell the Komenda sugar factory.”
Expressing concern that Parliament had not been informed of this decision, Sulemana called for Minister Hammond to be summoned for questioning.
KT Hammond recently announced the government’s plan to lease the factory to West Africa Agro Limited for up to 20 years, with options for renewal.
The government claims this move aims to revive the factory’s operations to meet domestic demand.
The Komenda Sugar Development Company Limited, established in 1964, has faced operational challenges, leading to a halt in production. Despite investments from the Indian Export-Import Bank and the previous NDC government, the factory has yet to achieve its objectives.
The $35 million factory, inaugurated by former President John Mahama in May 2016, was intended to reduce sugar imports and create jobs for about 7,300 people along the value chain. However, operations halted shortly after its commissioning due to numerous challenges.
As the debate continues, the future of the Komenda Sugar Factory remains uncertain, with calls for transparency and adherence to due process in any contractual agreements.