Inauguration of a 300 Metric Tonnes Warehouse at the Ejura Central Market

The Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality; known predominantly as an agrarian community and with the title FOOD BASKET of the Region, comes with not only growing and producing food crops but with proper method of storage and preservation.

The construction of a fully equipped 300 Metric Tonnes Ultra-Modern Warehouse at the Ejura Central Market comes into play to address the earlier stated method.

The project which begun in the year 2016 under the sponsorship of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) organizational goal of “Smallholder Agriculture and Markets Support” (SAMS) and funded by Global Affairs, Canada, saw its inauguration on Friday, 1 March 2019.

The Occasion hosted by the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Mohammed Salisu Bamba was graced by the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Agyemang, the WFP Country Representatives, the Traditional Council and other important dignitaries.

The purpose of the project (Warehouse) is to reduce Post-harvest losses of farm produce, which is a major challenge for farmers across the municipality and thereby increasing Food Security, Food Safety, Income Generation for Farmers and Market Traders and Economic growth.

The Warehouse is to be used for the aggregation and storage of commodities such as Maize, Cowpea and among others. Provided is an adequate drying platform for proper grain handling and drying purposes, as this will help maintain quality of the crops.

A twelve-member (12) committee, comprising of the Management Board and Audit and Finance was setup and officially ushered in office by the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Agyemang.

The Management Board has its nine (9) membership team drawn from the:

• Ejura Traditional Council,
• Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Assembly,
• Coalition of Farmers’ – Based Organisation,
• Maize & Cowpea Traders’ Association and
• Transporters’ Association.

The Management board however has Nana Ekourba Mettey (Tufuhene – Ejura Traditional Council) as Chairman, Mr. Musah Abdul – Aziz Zakaria (Assistant Director – Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Assembly) as Secretary, Mr. E.A Dankwah (Coalition of Farmers’ – Based Organisation) as Treasure and Mr. Eric Sarkodie as the Acting Manager.

The Management Board is generally responsible in ensuring the effective and efficient management of the Warehouse.

The Audit and Finance Committee also has a three (3) member team drawn from the following institution;

• Ghana Commercial Bank Ltd – Ejura
• Ejura – Sekyedumase Municipal Assembly and
• Otuasekan Rural Bank Ltd – Ejura.

Mr. Godwin C.C.K Cantey (Branch Manager, Ghana Commercial Bank Ltd – Ejura) servers as the Chairman of the Committee.

This Committee is responsible for providing guidance on the management and operations of the Warehouse.

The MCE, Hon. Alhaji Mohammed Salisu Bamba in his speech promised to ensure adequate use of the facility and thanked the World Food Programme (WFP) for this kind gesture especially the Country Director, Ms Rukia Yacoub for her active role in the completion of the project.

He noted that, the Warehouse would improve farming activities within the municipality and may augment the Governments’ Planting for Food and Job program.

News of the Warehouse Inauguration came as a delight to many framers and traders as they stand to benefit more from its functionality of crops storage, preservation and many more alike.