The people of the Ekumfi Traditional Area in the Central Region have made a passionate appeal to government to help resuscitate the pineapple business, one of the main sources of livelihood for thousands of the people. Speaking at stakeholders meeting at Ekumfi-Atwea, the Chairman of the Wad Organic Pineapple Farmers Association, Mr Arkaa Enchia, disclosed that the pineapple business which has over the years been the source of survival for the people collapsed for lack of support.

He explained that in the past when pineapple business was doing well; a large number of youth were absorbed into the sector, thereby taking them off the streets. "We helped defeat the devil that finds work for the idle hands" he added. Mr. Enchia disclosed that with the gradual collapse of the industry, many of the youth are returning to the street, making a living out of illegal activities. He blamed the decline of the industry on post harvest losses since farmers do not have the means to preserve the cash crop for a longer period, coupled with the fact that there is no ready market for it.

"Because we can't preserve the pineapple for a longer period the few buyers offer anything they feel like giving and we do not have any other choice than to accept it. With this, it becomes extremely difficult to maintain the farms and unless government comes to our aid it will be very difficult to survive." He therefore appealed to government to help create ready market for their produce in addition to providing them with micro finance opportunities to resuscitate their farms.