BY Daniel Bampoe
A group calling itself the Concerned Youth of Adeiso in the Upper West Akyem District of the Eastern Region has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil a campaign promise to establish a jute factory in the district, arguing that the project would help address rising youth unemployment and stimulate economic growth in the area.
In a petition addressed to the President through the District Chief Executive of Upper West Akyem, the youth group said the proposed factory formed a key part of the commitments made to residents during the 2024 election campaign and was one of the reasons many young people supported the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The petition, signed by the Chairman of the Concerned Youth of Adeiso, Nana Ankamah, described the letter as a gentle reminder to the President about the promise, expressing confidence that the government had not abandoned the project despite focusing on other pressing national priorities.
According to the group, youth unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges confronting Adeiso and its surrounding communities.
They noted that the district, like many parts of Ghana, is experiencing increasing numbers of young people entering the labour market without corresponding employment opportunities.
The youth acknowledged the various initiatives being undertaken by the Mahama administration to improve living conditions across the country but argued that the establishment of the promised jute factory would provide a more sustainable solution to the unemployment situation in the district.
“We know you have Adeiso in mind, but the many interventions being undertaken to improve the lives of Ghanaians may have caused this particular promise to be delayed,” the petition stated.
The group further linked their request to the government’s flagship 24-hour economy programme, which was a central pillar of the NDC’s campaign message during the 2024 elections.
They argued that the proposed factory would fit perfectly within the broader industrialisation and job creation agenda being rolled out under the policy.
According to the petitioners, the establishment of the factory would not only create direct employment opportunities for young people but would also generate indirect economic benefits for local businesses, farmers, transport operators and other service providers within the district.
The youth expressed optimism that the project could help harness the productive potential of the area’s youthful population and contribute to national development through what they described as Ghana’s demographic dividend.
They also appealed to President Mahama to consider the project as part of the ongoing national development initiatives currently being implemented across various regions under his administration.
“We believe that fulfilling this campaign promise by establishing the jute factory in Adeiso will empower the youth, reduce unemployment and enable us to contribute meaningfully to the development of our community and the nation as a whole,” the group stated.
The petition comes at a time when calls for industrialisation and job creation have intensified across the country, with many communities seeking investment projects that can provide sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Member of Parliament for Upper West Akyem and the constituency leadership of the National Democratic Congress for their attention and support.
