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The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto has said the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to the realisation of its vision of repositioning the Agriculture industry and making it attractive to people in the country as well as foreign investors in order to improve productivity, ensure food security and create jobs for the people.

The Minister made the comment at the launch of the Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd avocado plantation, Out- grower program and constructiom of a factory at Apedwa in the Abuakwa North District in the Eastern region under the One District/One Factory initiative.

According to the Minister it is in line with the vision of the President that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has rolled out various policies such as the Planting for food and jobs and Planting for export and rural development among other policies.

He said over the years the country has relied on cocoa as the main source of foreign exchange earning but government is determined to make the nation earn foreign exchange from non traditional crops like mango, coconut and oil palm among other crops.

He commended Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd for its bold initiative to undertake the plantation project and to construct a factory for fruit processing.

Mr Albert Wilson Chairman of Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd said the first phase of the company's plantation development involves 2000 acres of high breed avocado.

He said 200 acres of avocado are already under cultivation with a target of covering 10 000 acres over the next five years.

He said "the construction of the factory has commenced with a processing capacity of 6 to 8 tons per hour."

Mr Wilson added that "the Akyem Abuakwa and Akuapem areas were chosen because they provide the most conducive climate for the project."

The corporate objectives of the company he said, "fits well into the national matrix" adding that "Akuapem Gold Agro processing Ltd's vision is to develope a mixed portfolio of plantations of targeted crops including non timber forest products using an agro forestry approach in an integrated fashion."

According to Mr Wilson the company's plantation and the factory being constructed will create jobs for the youth, reduce poverty in the catchment areas of its operation and offer training for the rural youth in agribusiness.

He thanked the President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Ghana EXIM Bank, the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin and the the National Coordinator of the 1D1F initiative for their immense contribution towards the realisation of the project.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana EXIM Bank Mr Lawrence Agyinsam described the Akuapem Gold Processing Ltd as "one of the legacy factories of President Nana Akufo-Addo".

He said "one of the focus areas of the Ghana EXIM Bank is to support the One District/One Factory initiative to transform Ghana's economy into an export led economy to drive sustainable development."

The National Coordinator of the One District/One factory initiative, Mrs Gifty Ohene Konadu said adding value to agricultural raw material production through industrial processing is the surest way of increasing foreign exchange revenue.

According to Mrs Gifty Konadu a successful implementation of the Akuapem Gold Processing Ltd plantation and factory will greatly improve the livelihood of the Out-grower farmers in the cultivation of avocado fruits.

The Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin who chaired the function commended the President Nana Akufo-Addo for his vision of promoting industrialization in the country to create jobs for the youth.

He urged all stakeholders to support Akuapem Gold Agro Processing Ltd to succeed in its operation to create jobs for the people.