Bauxite beads producers in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region have received a multi-faceted bauxite beads production facility.
The workshop will serve as a common use facility for bauxite beads producers in the community.
The workshop was handed over to the producers by Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, CEO of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), who saw to the completion of the facility as well as the inclusion of machines.
This project came about through her commitment when she was at Abompe during a field visit in 2019.
Speaking at the handing over, Dr Asabea Asare indicated that,
“The construction of the new workshop is in line with GEPA’s mandate of developing, facilitating and promoting Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports.”
“To promote priceless ornaments, it is important to ensure that its production and supply can be sustained hence the importance of equipping the Abompe facility.”
She noted also that the Abompe facility is in line with the industrialisation agenda and the 1District 1Factory Initiative by the President Nana Akufo-Addo.
She further added that,
“The facility will encourage a lot more people within the community to engage in bauxite bead making as a means of earning an income and improving on their livelihoods.”
The new workshop comprises a production floor space, a warehouse and washroom facilities well equipped with seven (7) machines manufactured and installed by McHammah Engineering Co. Ltd., a Ghanaian equipment manufacturing company, to enhance the production process and increase output.
Bauxite bead production was inefficient due to the number of challenges it was facing. Bauxite bead makers in and around Abompe, produced their wares using rudimentary manual tools and worked from their homes and other dilapidated shelters even in extreme weather conditions.
The Abompe Bauxite Beads Producers Association, the main beneficiary of the facility have been taken through intensive training on the use of the 7 installed machines in batches of 10 members to enable them maximise their output and improve work efficiency.
However, initiatives to boost significant growth within the sector, has been outlined by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, to raise the profile of Ghana’s industrial art & crafts.
A report on the analysis of the of non-traditional export statistics in 2018 indicated that, Ghana earned $2.81 billion representing a 10.05% increase in total earnings of Non-Traditional Exports as compared to $ 2.56 billion earned in 2017. The Handicraft Sector accounted for USD12.8million representing a contribution of 0.46%.
