Sekondi: Dr Boakye Danquah, the Deputy Managing Director of West Africa Mills Company (WAMCO), has called on the government and potential investors to aid in the rehabilitation and revival of its cocoa processing plant in Sekondi to enhance production capacity.
According to Ghana News Agency, WAMCO, established in 1949 as the first cocoa processing company in the country, is partially owned by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), which holds a 40 percent stake. The company operates two plants, WAMCO One and WAMCO Two, with a combined production capacity of approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of cocoa. However, WAMCO Two, responsible for about half of this capacity, has become redundant due to technical issues and a shortage of raw materials.
Dr Danquah emphasized the importance of investing in WAMCO Two for the socio-economic growth of Sekondi-Takoradi, highlighting the potential for job creation. He stated, "With the government saying that we have to process about 50 percent of our cocoa locally, then it means that WAMCO Two has to be revived, so we need assistance from the government and any investor to revamp this facility."
During a working visit to the facility, Western Regional Minister Mr Joseph Nelson confirmed the government's commitment to supporting the recovery of WAMCO. He assured, "We will do everything we have to do to support WAMCO Two to get back on its feet."
Additionally, Mr Frank Bednar, Managing Director of WAMCO, expressed support for the President's decision on the 50 percent cocoa retention policy. He emphasized that local value addition is crucial for generating higher revenue and creating jobs for the youth.