An aspiring Independent Candidate in the forthcoming December 7 presidential election, George Twum-Barima-Adu has lauded the government for introducing the one district one factory initiative.
He believes the initiative is worthy as it has created jobs for the youth through the setting up of factories and industries in the districts.
The One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative was introduced by the government to help change the nature of Ghana’s economy from one which is dependent on import and export of raw material to one which is focused on manufacturing, value addition and export of processed goods.
The initiative which was launched in 2017 at Ekumfi in the Central Region has so far had over 100 of the factories completed and operating whilst several others are at various stages across the country.
It has created millions of job opportunities for the youth as it is ensuring that Ghana will move towards greater industrialization.
However, Mr. Twum-Barima-Adu speaking on Onua FM Etifi Nsem show has insisted that the initiative has failed to stop the drain on Ghana’s foreign exchange despite the jobs it has created at the various districts.
“The 1D1F has created employment in the districts, but the point is that it didn’t stop the drain on our foreign exchange because the companies are still allowed to import to come and work,” he said.
“But my Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) which I will introduce when I become the president of Ghana will purely build the local economy and it is linked to Agric for wealth,” he boasted.
He has explained that the 1D1F initiative could only have a positive impact on Ghana’s economy if the companies are compelled to use 70 percent of their raw materials from the country instead of importing them.
By doing so he believes that it would encourage the local farmers to venture into large scale farming to support the industries which in the end will boost the economy.
Story by Maxwell Otoo/ Onua FM/ 3news.com
