In a bold step to revive one of Ghana’s key industrial projects, the government has inaugurated an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to chart a fresh course for the long-dormant Komenda Sugar Factory.
The inauguration, held on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, signals a renewed commitment to restore the factory to full operations after years of stalled progress.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, described the Komenda Sugar Factory as a “prized national asset” which was originally initiated under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government but left to struggle due to operational and supply chain failures.
The factory, built in 2013 by Seftech India Pvt under a $36.25 million package funded by India EXIM Bank and EDAIF (now Ghana EXIM Bank), was designed to produce 125 metric tons of sugar daily, with future expansions into ethanol production and power generation. Despite later partnerships with Park Agrotech in 2020 and WAATCO under the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme, the factory has been unable to sustain its operations.
“In spite of these interventions, several attempts to operationalize the factory have not been successful,” the Minister admitted.
To change this, President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has tasked the newly formed IMC with diagnosing and resolving the persistent challenges of the Komenda Sugar Factory. The committee’s Terms of Reference include a technical assessment of the factory’s current state, a review of its business and financial viability, evaluation of the raw sugarcane supply chain, identification of credible strategic partners, review of the Ministry’s existing roadmap, and drafting a transition plan for resuming operations.
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare stressed the importance of reviving the factory, noting its potential to generate significant local jobs and reduce Ghana’s dependence on sugar imports.
“The Komenda Sugar Factory holds enormous potential to transform livelihoods in its catchment area and cut down on sugar imports,” she emphasized, pledging the Ministry’s support to ensure the IMC’s success.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Kwame Owusu Sekyere, chairman of the IMC, expressed gratitude to the President and the Minister for the confidence placed in the committee.
“We are honoured by the confidence reposed in us. We pledge to diligently work on the terms of reference and deliver within the assigned timelines,” he assured.
Other members of the IMC include Ing. Douglas Mensah, Mr. John Doku, Lt. Col. (Rtd.) George Afful, and Mr. Ransford Vanni Amoah.
The Committee is expected to submit its preliminary findings and recommendations to the Ministry within eight weeks.
The inauguration of the IMC renews hope for the Komenda Sugar Factory’s revival and positions it once again as a potential driver of jobs and industrial growth in Ghana.
