Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC, Ade Coker, has said the NPP administration is struggling to make progress with its One District One Factory policy because it did not think through the initiative.
He says the policy was purely a political gimmick used by the NPP to win power, hence the inconsistencies in the implementation.
Speaking on Citi TV’s Breakfast Daily show, the re-elected NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman said government clearly failed to think through the policy.
“This is the same old story. On the one district, one factory, NPP did not think it through, it is a political gimmick. We have got so many factories in this country that need to be re-invented. We kept asking the questions when they brought this idea. Have you thought about location and all those things that sustains a factory? Have you thought about the competition from outside?” he quizzed.
“We said that this thing is a gimmick to win elections. They last time they went to Ekumfi for a pineapple factory, the President took all the NPP functionaries there to go cut sod, but up until now, nothing has been done”.
Mr. Ade Coker also accused the NPP government of showboating with regards to claims about factories under the policy which have been operationalised.
“We are very quick in this country to give huge headlines, when you go underneath it is hollow, nothing has happened. After 18 months they are now telling us that they should set up a $10 billion fund before they can set up the factories,” he added.
Over 300 proposals for One District, One factory screened – Alan Kyeremanten
Three hundred and twenty-nine (329) proposals for the construction of factories under the 1 district, 1 factory programme have been successfully screened by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. This is according to the Sector Minister, Alan Kyerematen.
Answering questions from the Minority in Parliament on how many factories had been established so far, Mr. Kyerematen also said his Ministry had received over 700 proposals, adding that significant progress had been made on the creation of factories.
“Over 700 proposals have been received by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, out of this figure 329 of these projects have been screened and recommended to financial institutions for support for the implementation of these projects,” Mr. Kyeremanten said.
‘Not every district may have a factory in 4 or 8 years’ – Hamid
Early this year, the former Minister of Information Mustapha Hamid said “not every district will have a factory in 4 or 8 years”, in response to those accusing the government of failing on the promise.
“…President Akufo-Addo was virtually saying that for this country to improve, it is a country that we can get one district one factory, and that when he gets the power he will put in place measures to make sure that dream is fulfilled. So he may not in the four years or eight years be able to establish a factory for every district, but whatever it is, even if he is able to do 100 or 200, any successive president can continue with the projects, then [it will mean that] we are moving towards President Akufo-Addo’s Ghana beyond aid agenda,” he stated.
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