The much-awaited Walewale Watermelon Factory, has finally been commissioned in Walewale by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, leaving a number of peasant farmers relieved and excited.

Walewale and its environs are endowed with rich watermelon harvest, but due to the lack of market, the farmers suffer perennial post-harvest losses, and the commissioning of the factory, effectively ends this age-long problem for the farmers.

The Walewale Watermelon Processing Company, built by Champion Foods and Beverages, with funding from the Ghana Eximbank, is expected to produce about 10 metric tonnes of watermelon and various juice beverages per hour when the factory begins operations.

The factory is also expected to provide over 400 direct jobs and thousands of indirect benefits to over 3,000 peasant farmers, who will now have ready markets for their harvests.

Speaking at the commissioning, Dr. Bawumia expressed delight at the commissioning of the factory, stressing that the opening marked the NPP's commitment to industrialisation, and also shows the party's mindset of possibilities against the NDC's mindset of impossibility.

"When we promised to implement 1D1F, they doubted us but we have completed over 150 factories. One of the factories we have completed is the Walewale Watermelon Factory which we are commissioning today." Dr. Bawumia said.

"I remember when we started this process, there were a lot of doubts about whether we will be able to deliver this factory. In fact, a few weeks ago one of the members of the opposition party in this constituency said he has put up an empty container and it was not a factory. Today I'll like him to come and inspect the factory himself, "

"We have seen so much development and we have brought this factory into existence to help our farmers and to help create job here the communities around."

A number of farmers, who are direct beneficiaries of the factory expressed delight at the commissioning.

They lamented the significant amount of post-harvest losses they suffer after going through hard work throughout the season.

They commended Dr. Bawumia for listening to their plight and ensuring that a factory, which would serve a dual purpose of offering the youth jobs, and providing them ready market has been established.

"Today is an historic day and I witness this factory, which will help us here. Many of my colleague farmers have given up on watermelon farming due to the losses, but this will bring back the interest. We thank Dr. Bawumia for this initiative," said Abudu Seidu a farmer.

"I am really happy to see this factory today. Many people were saying Bawumia was lying to the farmers and that nothing was going on here but just a piece of containers on sight. Today we have seen it all and you can see how the farmers are happy. Thank you Mr. Vice President and incoming President.' another farmer, Shani Nuru said.

Another farmer, Issahaku Alidu said many more farmers who had abandoned watermelon farming will return, and also boost the youth's interest in farming.

"This is how you boost farming and we thank Dr. Bawumia so much. May God bless him."





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