A gari-processing centre constructed by Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) at Nyambong in the Nkwanta South Municipality in the Oti Region of Ghana has been commissioned.
The facility was commissioned by the Ho Area Head and Executive Council Member of the Church, Apostle Dr Dela Quampah, during a special ceremony held yesterday. Apostle Quampah was assisted by Pastor Seth Dwamena Asante (Nkwanta Area Head) and Elder Richard Amaning (PENTSOS Director).
The agro-processing centre initiative, according to Elder Richard Amaning, is among many community-development interventions by PENTSOS funded by The Church of Pentecost under her strategic vision, dubbed “Vision 2023.”
He further stated that the project is a social enterprise project of PENTSOS with the overarching goal to enhance the livelihood and income of beneficiaries especially women and youth while contributing to improving food security in Ghana.
“The processing centre would support directly over 100 gari processors into producing quality gari under improved and hygienic conditions and also encourage farmers into large scale cultivation of cassava in the project catchment area,” he said at the event.
The PENTSOS Director also commended the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the Executive Council, and the National PENTSOS Board for the support in making the project a success.
The centre, constructed at a cost of GHS 122,250.00, has a store room, an office, a stainless steel grating machine, Hydraulic and manual pressers, sifters and brick oven with chimney, and a stainless-steel roasting tray.
Gari is a fine to coarse granular flour of varying texture made from cassava tubers.
The popular Ghanaian food item is currently the most commercialised cassava product in the country and continues to increase in production due to the increasing urban demand and export market potential.
In a brief exhortation at the commissioning ceremony based on Ecclesiastes 10:19, Apostle Dr. Dela Quampah admonished members to work hard and make use of the processing to make money, make investment to support their children and future, and to appreciate God’s goodness through their tithes and offering.
The Ho Area Head also inaugurated a seven-member steering committee drawn from the Church and the community to manage the facility.
Present at the commissioning ceremony were Nana Obiako Akola (Chief of Nyambong), Hon. Bright Lingwa (Chief Executive of Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly), the Nkwanta Area pastorate, officers of the Municipal Assembly, the Assembly Member, community elders, and church members.
Also in attendance were officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) led by Mr Awudu Mubarak (MoFA Director for Nkwanta South Municipality)
PENTECOST NEWS.