Twifo Ntafrewaso (C/R), Dec. 20, GNA - The Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) in the Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira District of the Central Region has been ranked among the best four companies in the Ghanaian oil palm industry in terms of contribution to exports and the domestic market.

Another remarkable area that had added repute to the company is the discharge of its social responsibility to the people of Ghana in many areas including health, education and environment.

These observations were made in a speech read for the Minister of Trade and Presidential Initiative, Mr Alan Kyerematen at the Annual Durbar and Awards' Day of the company at Twifo-Ntafrewaso on Saturday, at which 120 workers were honoured for their meritorious services. They received certificates and prizes ranging from roofing sheets, coloured TV sets, bicycles, sewing machines, suitcases, radio cassette players and key soap.

Mr Kyerematen commended the management and staff of the company for their hard work and dedication, which had "greatly contributed in the making of the company as a reputable organisation", and pledged government's continued commitment to support the private sector to facilitate the growth of the Ghanaian economy.

He said, good governance one of the strongest pillars of NPP administration had ensured the promotion of stable and peaceful environment for economic growth adding that, a lot had been achieved in the past four years and with the renewal of its mandate for another four-year term, the government would further improve upon what it has been able to achieve.

He commended the board, management and staff of TOPP for maintaining a peaceful work environment and urged them to nurture and sustain this fruitful relationship and stressed the need for the country to learn how to appreciate and honour excellence, quality achievement, creativity, innovation, hard work, resilience and unalloyed commitment to duty". Mr Kyerematen congratulated the award winners and urged not to rest on their oars but strive to achieve higher heights in their respective fields.

Mr Abdul Malik Bin, Managing Director of TOPP said, the mill produced 19668 tons of palm oil and 6,098 tons of palm kernel as at November this year against 19,817 tons palm oil and 5,677 tons of palm kernel the previous year.

He said by the end of November 2004, the smallholders had supplied 12,813 tons of fresh fruits bunches valued at 5 billion cedis, which was distributed among 1,016 farmers within the year.

Mr Malik Bin said smallholders could have done better but for the continued diversion of fruits to other mills and also stealing of the palm fruits by some of its members and warned that, if that attitude was not changed, there would be no money to support the replanting of the farms, when the trees reach their economic age in few years time and this will spell the demise of the entire project.

He commended the Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) and TOPP Local Union leadership for ensuring peaceful and harmonious atmosphere throughout the year.

Mr Samuel Kangah, General Secretary of GAWU commended Ghanaian workers for ensuring peaceful and free elections and appealed to investors to invest in the country.