What was launched in 2022 as a bold step toward economic transformation in Weija-Gbawe has now become a cautionary tale of a public-private partnership gone awry. The million-euro piggery project, funded by the European Union and expected to create over 350 jobs, now stands as a symbol of broken promises, mismanagement, and power imbalance — with Akwaaba Feeds Limited at the center of the controversy.
Conceived under the EU’s Local Economic Development (LED) initiative, the Weija-Gbawe pig abattoir was meant to modernise pig farming, uplift local livelihoods, and dramatically boost municipal revenue. But insiders now say that instead of serving as a model of collaboration, the project has effectively been taken over by Akwaaba Feeds — the very private partner brought on board to help manage it.
Multiple sources familiar with the arrangement told The Fourth Estate that the company seized operational and financial control of the facility, sidelining the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly in direct violation of public financial management laws. All revenues reportedly flow directly to Akwaaba Feeds, with receipts bearing the company’s name instead of the Assembly’s — raising serious accountability concerns.
“This wasn’t a partnership. It was a takeover,” a source said.
Despite repeated interventions by Assembly officials, efforts to restore oversight have failed. Even after a 2024 resolution attempted to reassert control, tensions boiled over in meetings with Akwaaba Feeds’ representatives, who reportedly challenged the authority of Assembly officials. At one point, staff posted at the facility to monitor operations were withdrawn after facing sustained hostility.
Big Promises, Little Delivery
Akwaaba Feeds’ contractual obligations reportedly included capital investments of over GH₵600,000 — yet only a structure valued at GH₵20,000 was built. At the same time, critical project components like a feed mill and breeding centre remain abandoned.
“This project was supposed to change lives,” said one frustrated source within the Assembly. “But now it’s a drain on public resources and a missed opportunity for our youth.”
Dr. Osei Agyeman Bonsu, the abattoir’s manager and spokesperson for Akwaaba Feeds, admitted to serious operational issues, from outdated equipment to excessive electricity consumption and lack of cold storage. He also confirmed that the facility pays no taxes, citing low revenue and rising costs.
Financial records show the abattoir processes around 1,200 pigs monthly, generating about GH₵18,000 — barely enough to pay staff, according to Dr. Bonsu. Meanwhile, the Assembly is left out of the financial loop.
Where’s the Accountability?
Internal audit reports reveal that even before the project derailed, the Assembly was struggling to meet revenue targets. The failed piggery project has only worsened that shortfall. A brief period of direct Assembly oversight in early 2024 recovered GH₵40,000 — suggesting nearly GH₵350,000 in potential revenue may have slipped through the cracks during Akwaaba’s full control.
Attempts by The Fourth Estate to obtain the original management contract were unsuccessful, as both the Assembly and Akwaaba Feeds declined to release it.
Stakeholders Silent, Dreams Deferred
The European Union delegation in Ghana acknowledged the ongoing evaluation of the project but refused to provide specific details. The Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly has also remained silent despite repeated requests for comment since late 2024.
Local farmers, once hopeful about the initiative, have abandoned pig farming altogether, selling off their stock and moving on from a dream that never materialised.
The project, once heralded as a beacon of local development, now stands as a warning. Without clear contracts, robust oversight, and mutual accountability, even the best-funded public-private partnerships can devolve into disputes, dysfunction, and lost opportunities.
And for the Weija-Gbawe community, the question remains: who will finally take responsibility, and can this project — or its promise — ever be salvaged?
