The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has raised concerns over what it says is the seeming lack of direction in the implementation of government’s One District, One Factory policy.
According to the out-gone president of the Association, James Asare Adjei, this is as a result of the multiplicity of institutions tasked with the implementation of the policy and that is delaying the full take off of the much touted programme.
AGI, through government support, secured a $2 billion facility from China to augment government’s efforts at creating factories in every district.
Speaking to Starr Business, Mr. Asare-Adjei believed one ministry must be responsible for the program to ensure a successful implementation.
“We think that it is taking too long for this laudable initiative to be rolled out. We agree that there is multifaceted approach to the implementation. However, there should be a clear definition in terms of whose responsibility it is to spearhead [the program]…the one district, one factory initiative, should be assigned to the Ministry of Trade and Industries so that it would be that Ministry that would clearly spearhead the implementation,” said Mr. Asare-Adjei.
“I am very sure that the slowness in the implementation may be as a result of the multifaceted, sectorial approach to its implementation and AGI is calling for a little bit faster approach to making sure that the full implementation of this laudable initiative is realized,” he added.
He also indicated that members of AGI are yet to benefit from the stimulus package promised by government to support ailing industries.
Mr. Asare-Adjei’s comments come as government stated that some 109 proposals are currently ready for implementation in line with its agenda to build a factory in each of the 216 districts.
The One District, One Factory project is one of the major promises made by President Akufo-Addo’s camp during the 2016 electioneering campaign.
The President announced the proposals when he addressed a durbar of Chiefs and People of the Kpone Katamanso Traditional Area.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
