In a move to transform the rural economy of Ghana’s Central Region, Nana Akua Adepa Fordjour II, the Mpuntuhen (Development Chief) of Anomabo-Oboadze, has launched a $65,000 cassava processing factory and vocational training centre initiative aimed at stimulating agribusiness and youth employment in the Mfantseman Municipality.
The project, spearheaded by the newly established Nana Adepa Fordjour II Foundation (NAF 2 Foundation), will focus on adding value to cassava production, a staple crop in the region. The factory, to be sited on fertile farmland in Aboadze, will process cassava into gari, starch, and other high-demand derivatives for both local markets and export.
Nana Fordjour, known in private life as Regina Nana Akua Fordjour, a miner and entrepreneur, said the initiative seeks to tackle rural unemployment, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost household incomes. “The days of cassava glut in our area are gone,” she said during her coronation ceremony.
She explained that the processing plant would serve as an anchor for a wider local value chain, from farming to processing and distribution, creating jobs while supporting Ghana’s broader rural industrialisation and export diversification goals.
“Cassava is not just food security but it’s an untapped economic opportunity,” she noted. “By processing cassava into flour, ethanol, starch, and other industrial inputs, we are unlocking new markets, supporting smallholder farmers, and contributing to sustainable development.”
Beyond the immediate economic gains, Nana Fordjour highlighted the environmental and industrial benefits of cassava processing.
She said the initiative will ensure that all parts of the cassava plant are utilised, from producing animal feed and biofuel to providing raw materials for the paper, textile, and pharmaceutical industries.
The foundation’s second major project, the proposed Vocational and Technical Education and Training (TVET) Centre, will focus on practical skills development for young people, especially vulnerable girls, equipping them with employable skills in areas such as food processing, carpentry, tailoring, and small business management.
“In communities like ours, technical education can transform lives,” she said. “It helps young people to build careers, start businesses, and contribute to a sustainable local economy.”
The initiative has already attracted local and institutional support. Ebenezer Prince Kojo Arhin, Member of Parliament for the area, and Eric Stanley Acquah, Municipal Chief Executive of Mfantseman, both commended the initiative, saying it aligns perfectly with the government’s industrialisation agenda and the 24-hour economy policy aimed at strengthening local businesses.
The MP praised Nana Fordjour’s leadership, describing her as “a symbol of transformation and resilience.” He noted that her journey from a miner to a community leader reflects the power of vision and faith to drive change.
Nana Obokese Ampah, Apegyahen of Asebu Traditional Area, also lauded her determination and called on the private sector, government, and community members to rally behind her.
“Her vision shows that true wealth is not built on ambition alone, but on empowering others to rise alongside you,” he said.
If successful, the twin initiatives could make Anomabo-Oboadze a model for inclusive rural industrialisation, demonstrating how small, targeted investments in agriculture and skills training can catalyse broader economic transformation.
