Morgan Ayawine
The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) of the Trade Union Congress has called on the government to revive the Pawlugu Tomato Factory in the Upper East Region.
According to the Union, the factory has a great potential to process tomatoes as well as create jobs for the youth in the area, particularly in the area of agriculture and agribusiness.
Speaking in Bolgatanga during the ICU Regional Conference in the Upper East, the General Secretary, Morgan Ayawine, appealed to the government to revamp the factory to serve its purpose and boost the local economy.
Mr. Ayawine said the growing trend of unemployment in the country is a result of unbridled youth migration hence the need to create viable employment opportunities and sustainable industries to create jobs for the youth.
“For the government to realise its economic potential and fulfil the purpose for which it was established, we wish to use this forum to appeal to the government to seriously consider reactivating the Pwalugu Tomato Factory to create employment for the unemployed youth and also save the nation huge foreign exchange used to import tomatoes into the country,” he said.
To boost the operation of the factory, the General Secretary also appealed to the government to also prioritise the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam to ensure that it provided irrigation services to farmers to engage in all year farming activities.
The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam has several components, including the provision of several hectares of land for irrigation, hydro and solar hybrid power production, flood control mechanism and aquaculture.
The ICU General Secretary also appealed to the government to reduce the 25 percent corporate tax imposed on the rural and community banks, stating that it was imposing huge burden on their operations.
A Daily Guide Report