The Member of Parliament for Jomoro in the Western Region, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has held discussions with the Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Kwesi Amihere Kpanyinli III, and prospective investors over plans for a coconut processing factory in the Jomoro Municipality.
The proposed facility is being considered as part of efforts to attract strategic investment, develop the area’s coconut industry and create lasting economic opportunities for local residents.
Ms Affo-Toffey, who is also the Deputy Transport Minister, said Jomoro had significant potential for coconut production but needed to move beyond exporting raw agricultural produce. She called for greater emphasis on local processing and value addition.
A factory would allow coconuts grown in the municipality to be turned into higher-value products for domestic and international markets, rather than being sold only in their raw form.
The MP said the investment could strengthen the local economy by creating jobs for young people, opening new markets for farmers and improving livelihoods across communities in Jomoro.
It could also give farmers a reliable outlet for their produce and support the creation of a more integrated coconut value chain within the municipality.
The meeting with traditional authorities was intended to ensure that any investment reflects the development priorities and aspirations of the people of the Western Nzema Traditional Area.
The prospective investors are currently assessing the feasibility of establishing the processing facility. No decision on the factory’s final development has been announced.
For Jomoro, which has considerable agricultural potential, the project could mark a step towards industrialisation, economic diversification and the creation of greater value locally.
Ms Affo-Toffey reaffirmed her commitment to initiatives aimed at attracting responsible investment to the municipality and generating sustainable economic opportunities for her constituents.
She also emphasised the need for traditional authorities, investors, farmers, government institutions and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that major projects provide meaningful and lasting benefits to local communities.
If successfully realised, the factory could help strengthen Jomoro’s agricultural sector and reduce post-harvest losses. It could also support the municipality’s ambition to become an important centre for coconut processing and related industries.
The engagement with Awulae Kwesi Amihere Kpanyinli III and the prospective investors represents an early step in examining the project’s potential and building the partnerships needed for its implementation.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to use Jomoro’s natural and agricultural resources to create jobs, support local businesses and open up new economic opportunities for people across the municipality.
