Robert Ahomka-Lindsay supported by management of Leefound Food Stuff Ghana, National Coordinator of the ‘One District, One Factory’ Secretariat, Gifty Ohene-Konadu, DCE of Ningo-Prampram, Jonathan Dooku to cut the sod
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Robert Ahomka-Lindsay yesterday cut the sod for work to begin on a $3 million factory to process tomatoes and spices at Afienya in the Greater Accra Region under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) project.
The company- Leefound Food Stuff Ghana Limited, which would be financed through Chinese investment, is expected to be operational by December 2018.
BUSINESS GUIDE gathered that the factory is part of 57 businesses approved for the 1D1F project in the Greater Accra Region.
About 14 out of the 57 businesses approved by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the 1D1F Secretariat under the Office of President Akufo-Addo are said to be ready and would improve socio-economic development in the country, particularly in the host districts.
Many of the businesses are into food processing, and are expected to enjoy some incentives from government, including tax holidays.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, in a speech at the sod cutting ceremony, said “the two major shareholders undertaking the Leefound Food Stuff Ghana project are Grand Rise Food Company Limited and Tianjin Limmin Condiments Company Limited of China who are jointly investing an initial capital of $3 million, with additional capital investment in the near future.”
As part of the project, the Deputy Minister explained that two other collaborative investors are building ancillary factories to produce tins and cartons.
He added that the investors operate under the name The Tianjin Yangzhiguang Materials Co. Limited and Hebei Yangzhiguang Materials Co. Limited.
Leefound Food Stuff Company Ghana Limited, he said, was incorporated in Ghana on January 19, 2018 to boost the industrialization drive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
The company, according to the deputy minister, applied to join 1D1F initiative as one of the self-financing projects in March 2018.
Workforce
To ensure smooth operations, Mr Ahomka-Lindsay stated that the company would initially provide 140 direct jobs in Afienya and more than 500 indirect jobs when it commences operation, with a few Chinese expected to work at the factory.
Opportunities for Locals
“In line with the government’s desire to improve the local economies through the 1D1F programme, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the management of the company, will ensure that the indigenes of this locality, Ningo-Prampram District, particularly the Afienya Community, will be direct beneficiaries of employment opportunities in the company,” the Deputy Minister added.
Traders in Ghana would be given the opportunity to be part of the marketing chain to sell the various products of the company, it’s estimated that the company, at full capacity, will produce 300 containers of tomato paste a month. This will provide a lot of quality tomato paste for the local and sub-regional markets.”
Deputy General Manager of Tianjin Food Group, Zhang Jun, gave the assurance that the company shall abide by the laws of Ghana and operate with integrity, adding that “our company will also create new employment opportunities for Ghanaians.”
President of the Ghana Chinese Business Association, Tang Hong, said the Chinese Investment Community has confidence in the current Akufo-Addo administration.
As a result, he stated that the Chinese community in Ghana would work hard to attract more Chinese investors into the country.
Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, aims to establish at least one medium to large-scale factory in all the 254 districts nationwide under the 1D1F programme.
Mr. Ahomka-Lindsay explained that “the emphasis on medium to large-scale is due to the fact that the enterprises to be established are expected to significantly impact positively on the economies of the districts.”
“Leefound Food Stuff Company Ghana Limited will contribute significantly towards the achievement of the objectives of the 1D1F.”
By Melvin Tarlue