The University of Cape Coast has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Ghanaian-based Indian Company, Park Agrotech Ghana Limited as part of plans to revamp the Komenda Sugar Factory.

Speaking on the partnership, the Head, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Prof. Aaron Tettey Asare, said with the reopening of the Komenda Sugar Factory in 2015, the University undertook some research works to identify suitable planting material for the operation of the Sugar Factory. He indicated that the research was conducted using micro propagating techniques or tissue culture to rapidly multiply sugarcane and assess its’ potential yields.  He said, “having been successful, the information was made known to the public after which Park Agrotech Ghana Limited expressed interest to partner with the University to produce sugarcane to salvage the Factory.

Prof. Asare stated that the signing of MoU between UCC and Park Agrotech Ghana Limited had formalised the relationship to operationalise their activities. He indicated that “the key roles of the University were to generate planting material (sugarcane) for the company and its outgrowers and to provide all the needed strategic and technical expertise to complement the company’s effort to operationalise the Komenda Sugar Factory.”

Team leader the company, Mr. Lalit K. Mishra, commended Management of the University for showing interest to partner with the Park Agrotech Ghana Limited to revamp the Factory to support livelihoods and create opportunities. He was hopeful that, the partnership would go a long way to generate some avenues to utilise human capital. Mr. Mishra, who is also the Managing Director of the company, thanked Prof. Aaron Asare for his immense contribution towards the formalisation and establishment of the partnership. He noted that the company would remain committed to its’ obligations in order to achieve the intended purpose of the MoU between both parties. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, expressed profound gratitude to the company for its’ commitment and focus. He also applauded the leadership of the School of Biological Sciences for its’ laudable ideas and initiatives to help salvage the Sugar Factory at Komenda. Prof. Ampiah assured the team of the continuous support of the University towards the operation of the Komenda Sugar Factory. He was hopeful that the formalisation of the partnership would mark the beginning of new ideas, initiatives, innovations in research for students and lecturers and create job opportunities for the people of Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Municipality, Central Region and Ghana. The Vice-Chancellor also noted that “this initiative will project the image of UCC, and we are ready to support and partner this laudable idea.”

Present were the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan, Member of Council of State, Maj. Gen. Richardson Edwin Baiden (Rtd) and Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan. Others were the Director, Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy, Prof. Frederick Ato Armah; Dean, School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Justice Kwabena Sarfo, and Acting Director, Directorate of Public Affairs, Major (Rtd) Kofi Baah-Bentum.