Ekumfi-Eyissam (C/R), June 4, GNA - A number of pineapple farmers in the Ekumfi Traditional Area have formed a company to process their produce.

Nana Obranu IV, Chief Adviser of the company known as the Ekumfi Central Pineapple Processing Company Limited, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency at Ekumfi-Eyissam on Tuesday. He said government support for the project would be channelled through the Ministry of Trade Industries and President's Special Initiatives (PSI).

Nana Obranu commended Mr N.A. Welbeck (Jnr.), a Ghanaian investor for offering to assist the company with a pineapple-processing machine for the company to commence business soon.

He said the chairman of the company, Nana Arkoansah, and some executive officers had already met the authorities of the Nfantseman District Assembly and Mr Welbeck on the modalities for the beginning of operations at Saltpond.

A general meeting of pineapple farmers who have come together to form the processing company would take place at Ekumfi-Essueshyia on June 18, to deliberate seriously on other issue and called on members and non-members of the company, especially pineapple growers in the Ekumfi and parts of Enyan traditional areas to meeting.

Nana Arkoansah impressed upon pineapple farmers in the area to register with the Central Pineapple Processing Company to enable them to derive maximum benefit from their toils adding that, the successful operation of the factory would also help provide employment to the youth in the Ekumfi Traditional Area.

He assured members who had bought shares with the company to remain resolute and even increase their share holdings to make the company financially strong to commence business.

He said that the Nfantsiman District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Quainoo-Arthur, would deliver a talk "on Presidential Special Initiative and Prospects of Ekumfiman Pineapple Processing Factory" at the meeting. Nana Arkonsah charged pineapple farmers in the area to endeavour to attend the impending meeting to equip themselves with more knowledge about the President's Special Initiatives.