Sericulture involves the rearing of silk-producing insects in captivity or collecting their silk cocoons in the field for production of fabrics.

In 2002, the Sericulture promotion and development association of Ghana initiated sericulture, a silk processing project which was funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The Sericulture and silk processing project brought about the establishment of the silk processing factory.

The Government of Ghana accepted the responsibility to continue to fund the silk processing project after the FAO sponsored project ended, but the current state of the silk processing factory clearly indicates that the government has abandoned its responsibilities and caused the silk processing factory to lay idle without its being beneficial for its initial intended purpose. The machines for the processing of the silk fabric are being laid idle and getting rusted.

I strongly believe the Sericulture promotion and development association of Ghana implemented the Sericulture program to help reduce rural poverty, increase employment and reduce dependence on the depleting forest if the necessary interventions are put in place.

This is so barbaric that the Government of Ghana, the former and current sitting president could abandon such a project to go waste? This project will create employment and generate income for farmers and promote biodiversity conservation.

These concern citizens Dr. Paul Kwesi Ntaanu, Mr. Christian Kwaku Ohemeng and others urge the government to support and help revamp the silk processing factory. Revamping the silk processing factory will boost led to an increase in raw cocoon production which will create employment and yield revenue for farmers and citizens as a whole.

Reported by: Kingsley Nyarko Twum

Kindly click the below video to view the state of the silk factory.