Juaben (Ash), June 17, GNA - The Juaben Oil Mills in the Ejisu-Juaben District intends to extend power generated from its boiler at the mills to the government hospital in the town. The power, which is obtained as a by-product of sheabutter, is used to pump water for use by the Juaben community.

Mr Ernest Kofi Andam, Turban and Boiler Foreman of the mills, made this known when Mr Ernest Debrah, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, visited the factory as part of his three-day tour of some educational institutions and industrial enterprises in the Ashanti Region on Thursday. Mr Andam said the mills were using only 100 kilowatts out of its 424 kilowatts of power, leaving a surplus of 324.

The minister also inspected an oil palm nursery established under the President's Special Initiative (PSI) by the mills. Mr Alfred Kyei, Supervisor of the project who conducted Mr Debrah round, told him that the company, under the PSI, took delivery of 200,000 oil palm seedlings last year and has received 230,000 this year for distribution to farmers.

Mr Debrah said if things continued the way they were going for the five years, Ghana would be put on a high pedestal in agriculture. He said after provision of quality seeds, his ministry would move to soil fertility issues and then tackle livestock projects at all levels.