Madam Gifty Akorsah Arthur, the Nkoranza North District Chief Executive (DCE), has expressed upset about the situation where fruits produced in large quantities in the area go to waste, something that has become a huge disincentive to farmers.

The situation could not continue - there was an urgent need to establish a fruit processing factory.

This, she added, would not only assure the farmers of a ready market but ensure value addition.

The district is popular for mangoes and watermelon production.

The DCE was contributing to discussions at an open forum jointly organized by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) and the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) at Nkoranza.

This was done with support from the German Development Corporation (GIZ) under its good governance project.

The goal was to engage the people on how the nation’s oil revenue had been managed over the last seven years and the benefits to them.

Madam Akorsah Arthur called for businesses to invest in the area to create job opportunities and wealth for the people.

The district has only one major oil-revenue funded project – the Asekye-Busunya-Dromankese road.

Even with this, the job has not been completely finished. It has terminated at Busunya.

The DCE said being a predominantly farming district, they were eager to see more done to reduce the high post-harvest losses.

They were the major supplier of foodstuff to Techiman, Accra and other urban centres and they deserved to have good returns on investment.

They also should have their fair share of projects funded with the oil money, she said.

Madam Akorsah Arthur thanked PIAC for helping the people to have better understanding of the management of the revenue from the oil fields.