Gov’t to Produce Plastic Bags with Cassava – Bawumia

Destroying the old to make way for the new is the essence of market economies―this seems to be the watch word of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as it saddles up to shun conventional but unworkable business policies for something new, unusual and effective.

According to the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for Ghana to move beyond aid and experience macroeconomic stability as well as accelerated industrial development, policy makers must think outside the box.

This mindset he said, is what has driven government to explore a unique way of using cassava flour to produce biodegradable polythene bags amongst other avant-garde innovations.

The vice president said, this unconventional innovation would help mitigate the challenges facing sanitation in Ghana.

Speaking at this year’s Ghana Economic Forum (GEF) held in Accra, he said, “If the conventional way doesn’t help because we have been doing for 61 years, since independence― we have to think about new ways of doing things.”

Scrutinizing the noble idea presented to him by an entrepreneur, Dr. Bawumia said he doubted the durability of the product but upon trying to tear it up, he realised, “they are very solid.”

Innovations like this he said would bring Ghana competitive advantages.

Return of Jutes

Dr. Bawumia also hinted government’s efforts to re-establish a jute factory in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region following the huge cost spent on the importation of jute bags annually.

After the collapse of Ghana’s only jute factory in Ghana, 27 years ago, it is reported that the Ghana Cocoa Board alone, imports sack worth millions of dollars yearly.

In 2018 alone, the Cocoa Board brought jute bags worth $38 million for cocoa packaging.

But after the re-establishment of the factor, the vice president says the bags that would be manufactured locally, could be much cheaper and of better quality.

Still highlighting the bright ideas of the government, Dr. Bawumia said the Infrastructure Barter Arrangement entered with the Sinohydro Corporation of China would go a long way to improve Ghana’s infrastructural development.

Under the new arrangement, Government of Ghana would use her share of the refined bauxite to pay-off the cost of infrastructure that would be provided by the Sinohydro Corporation.

GEF

The Seventh Edition of the GEF which ended yesterday drew captains in the business under one roof to debate on key issues affecting the Ghanaian economy and proffer innovative ideas to resolve them.

Amongst key speakers at the event were renowned business moguls like Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies and Dr Papa Kwesi Ndoum, President of Group Ndoum.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]