President John Dramani Mahama has promised to set up a tomato factory to process produce of farmers at Akomadan in the Offinso Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The President was responding to a request made by the chief of the area while addressing residents as part of his campaign tour.

President Mahama said the factory, when established, would not only benefit farmers in the area, but will also provide jobs for the teeming youth there.

“I know many of the youth here at Akomadan are into tomato farming because this is a hub for the crop. So we are starting with the supply side, the Koreans are done with the first page of the irrigation process which is some 60 acres. We have asked them to continue with the second phase. The second phase is some 120 acres. The benefit of this is that the youth can plant tomatoes all year round. So Nananom we will work closely with you to establish a tomato factory here to process the tomatoes cultivated here,” Mr Mahama promised.

President Mahama, who is seeking re-election for his second and final four-year term has been touring the stronghold of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) since the weekend. He said the NDC is confident of winning 13 out of the 47 seats in the region.

Already, the party has set a target to garner 1.5 million votes in the region.