The Association of Cashew Processors Ghana (ACPG) has some worrying news: two local cashew processing factories might have to close down in the next two months. This could mean that hundreds of people could lose their jobs!
The main reason for these possible closures is a lack of money. The factories need more financial support to keep running, and without it, they might not be able to stay open.
At a recent meeting, the former president of the Association, Ed-Malvin Nii Ayi Bonte, spoke about the urgent need for help from the government. He suggested that the government should provide low-interest loans to help these struggling factories.
Bonte explained that if the factories stop processing cashews, all the workers would have to be let go. When the factories reopen next year, they would need to retrain the workers, which costs a lot of money. He warned that if the factories close for two to three months, they might lose almost all their workers.
Right now, about 2,000 people work in the cashew processing industry. If these factories close, around 500 jobs could be lost. Most of these factories are owned by Ghanaians, so it’s really important to keep them open.
Bonte stressed that the government’s help is crucial. It can help keep people employed and ensure that the local cashew processing industry continues to grow. Without support, many workers and their families could be in a tough spot.