Hon. Robert Lindsey in Tamale
Twenty-four projects have been given approval under government’s flagship, ‘One District, One Factory’ programme to start operations in the Northern Region, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry has indicated.
DAILY GUIDE gathered that four out of the 24 factories would be situated at Savelugu.
“The programme is private sector-led and the only role of government is to facilitate and provide some needed logistics to ensure the smooth running and operation of the factories, according to Robert Lindsey.
“Government is not directly in charge of the factories, as it’s only facilitating their establishment.’
The NPP, in the 2016 campaign, promised to establish at least a factory in each of the 216 districts across the country as part of measures to industrialize the country and create jobs for the teeming youth.
The policy has been criticized by members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who said it was not feasible
They accused the NPP of throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaians to win votes.
Mr Lindsey said current Akufo-Addo administration believes in quality and long-lasting projects.
Acknowledging the fact that the programme has somewhat delayed, Mr Lindsey reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the projects do not become white elephants.
He called for feasibility studies, business proposals, thoroughly analysis and requisite funding for the commencement of the projects.
“From the days of Kwame Nkrumah, the culture of maintenance has been a major cry in Ghana. Our inability to maintain and sustain, especially government projects, has resulted in most government companies and factories breaking down and collapsing.”
According to the Deputy Trade Minister, the Ministry has decided to include District Implementation Support Team (DIST) in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the 1D1F programme.
The DIST is made up of the various MMDCEs, District, Municipal, Metropolitan coordinators, Fire Service, NEDCo, Food and Drugs Authority, Factory Inspectorate, Ghana Bureau of Small Scale Enterprises, Lands Commission, Ghana Water Company Limited.
Mr. Lindsey said the factory inspectors across the various districts have been urged to ensure safety of Ghanaian employees at the various factories across the country.
He appealed to the various MMDCEs to assist private individuals and entities who want to invest as part of the 1D1F programme.
From Eric Kombat, Tamale