Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor, has criticised what he describes as a recurring governance flaw in Ghana and across Africa, where newly elected governments abandon projects initiated by their predecessors.
Speaking at his palace in Buipe, Savannah Region, during a courtesy call by the Managing Director of PBC Shea, Abubakari Abdul Mumin, the traditional leader lamented that such practices only derail progress and waste scarce national resources.
“Don’t be deceived into thinking the PBC Shea factory is not viable or profitable. It was deliberately neglected and allowed to waste away. That is the problem with governance in Africa, especially in Ghana,” Chief Jinapor asserted.
He said the persistent abandonment of state-funded projects deepens disunity, stalls national development, and burdens the public purse.
According to him, despite making personal efforts, including visits to public institutions to help revive the factory, no action was taken until recently.
“I’m excited that President John Dramani Mahama has declared he will not abandon any projects initiated by his predecessor because they are taxpayers’ money, not personal property. Even if it were private property, why let it waste when you can make it viable?” he questioned.
The Buipewura welcomed the renewed efforts to operationalise the PBC Shea factory and expressed optimism that, under the new leadership and policy direction, the long-stalled project would finally fulfil its purpose of job creation for the youth.
“Now, I know the baby—PBC Shea—is lucky. It has been crying, and its father has returned. We are hopeful President Mahama will ensure this factory rises quickly to serve the people,” he said.
He also commended the outgoing manager of the facility for keeping it alive despite challenges and assured the new Managing Director of his full support.
He encouraged Mr. Abdul Mumin to “think outside the box” and not rely solely on government assistance.
The PBC Shea factory, which was initiated and commissioned in 2012 by then-Vice President John Mahama, was established to process raw shea into butter and turn soybeans into oil and cake.
The facility is equipped to produce between 45,000 and 60,000 tonnes of butter annually and has its own DOC plant to generate energy for full operations.
It also boasts a state-of-the-art water treatment system producing 2,562 litres per hour and 5,700 gallons per day.
Despite its potential, the factory has suffered years of neglect, which local leaders like the Buipewura hope will soon be reversed under the new administration.
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