Government investing in oil plantation will create more jobs and reduce unemployment – Paul Amaning

President of the Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association of Ghana, Paul Amaning has stated that is now time for the government to tap into the economic potential of the oil palm industry.

Ghana’s unemployment rate reportedly hit 13.4 percent in 2021, up from 6 percent in 2010.

According to the available data, the five northern regions (Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, Northern, and North East) and the Volta region were the worst affected.

But Mr. Amaning said investing in the oil palm industry will cause a drastic reduction in unemployment in the country.

He urged the government to pay attention to the production of palm oil since it has the avenue to create jobs for many across the country.

Speaking on Hot Seat on Original TV on Sunday, Mr. Amaning said “intense political will is needed to prioritize and expand the oil palm economy.”

According to him, most African countries still import palm oil from foreign countries, meanwhile, Ghana has the resources to provide raw materials that will cause a decline in the importation of these products.

Paul Amaning indicated that Ghana has enough oil palm plantations, but the country still spends millions of dollars importing palm oil products.

“Ghana has the potential of being a leading net exporter of oil palm products. It is estimated that smallholder production accounts for an average of approximately 70 percent of palm oil output and in Ghana alone, there are over 20,000 independent smallholders supplying mills,” Paul Amaning told Akosua Asabea Asomaning.

 

Source: Richard Obeng Bediako | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana

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