Aboso youth to hit the streets if there are no signs of revamping glass factory

The youth of Aboso in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region have been fiercely opposing Linkin Birds Company’s attempts to access the Aboso Glass Factory scraps.

Despite their relentless efforts, they’ve been met with resistance, citing an order from higher authorities that has diminished their power to protect the factory’s future.

Aboso Glass Factory has been a subject of controversy lately. Some weeks ago, Media General reported that the youth in the community resisted GIHOC Distilleries Company’s approval for Linkin Birds Company to access scraps from the factory.

In a phone interview, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, the Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries Company, stated that the directive came from a new investor, and once they remove the scraps, nothing else would be taken out.

However, the community claims that’s not the case, as scraps are still being removed and taken out with roofing sheets of the building being removed, transformer’s that power the factory have also been dismantled.

Chairman of the Aboso youth group, Delah Gudah, has raised alarming concerns about the dismantling of machines at the Aboso Glass Factory. Shockingly, most of these machines are brand new, with some not having being used before. However, when the youth group tried to intervene, they were met with the response that the dismantling was ordered from above.

“This brand-new oven was installed right before the company shut down, but it hasn’t been used yet. Most of the machines are still in working condition. What’s infuriating is that we’ve seen no assurance of revitalization efforts. Instead, it seems they’re only interested in scrapping the existing equipment”.

“Typically, investors conduct surveys and bring in equipment before establishing a new company. But none of that has happened here. When we questioned them, we received a call saying it was an order from higher authorities. It’s clear our chief has compromised the town’s interests.” He stated

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Prestea-Huni Valley Constituency Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, has expressed concerns that the current government is intentionally collapsing companies, citing Future Global Resources as an example.

“The government that promised ‘One District, One Factory’ is now collapsing factories in our constituency. They’ve removed railway lines from Tarkwa to Huni Valley and are scrapping the glass factory. Our investigation reveals that the factory was sold for 8 million Ghana cedis, with 4 million Ghana cedis paid to the government under President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Bawumia, and Maxwell Kofi Jumah, along with NPP duty bearers in this constituency”.

Interestingly, a design showcasing the proposed new building for the Aboso Glass Factory has been unveiled. However, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area has dismissed the plan as a mere “deception tactic” aimed at pacifying the community.

“We are warning the President that the proposed new glass factory is nothing but a joke. If genuine investors were truly interested, they would engage with local leaders, stakeholders, and the community to revamp the factory. Instead, after dismantling all the machines and equipment, they expect new investors to take over the skeletal remains. This is what President Akufo-Addo has done to the people of Prestea Huni Valley.” He sadly mentioned it out.

He emphasized that if their pleas continue to fall on deaf ears, the community will be forced to take more drastic measures, with demonstrations being the next line of action.

“Following this engagement, if we don’t see tangible results, the entire youth in this municipality will take to the streets in protest.”

Read also:

Chief and residents of Aboso kick against sale of defunct glass factory

By Ebenezer Atiemo

The post Aboso youth to hit the streets if there are no signs of revamping glass factory first appeared on 3News.

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