Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has confirmed that the One-District-One-Factory (1D1F) programme, a flagship initiative of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, has been cancelled.
“Mr. Speaker, I want to draw the House’s attention to the fact that as of now, there is no policy as 1D1F,” she told Parliament on Tuesday.
The minister explained that the ministry is now focusing on agro-processing parks under the 24-hour economy policy, which aims to make Ghana’s economy vibrant around the clock.
“Mr. Speaker, we are doing agro-parks, which seek to be a great game changer, especially in the agro-processing zones… to produce around the clock for import substitution, export, foreign exchange, and to create jobs for our teeming youth,” she said.
The cancellation of the 1D1F programme was in response to an urgent question by NPP MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who asked about specific incentives and investment promotion packages being deployed to attract private sector investment.
The minister noted that the policy for the 24-hour economy, including investment packages, is under review and will be presented to Parliament when completed.
When asked about transitional measures following the cancellation of 1D1F, the minister said the ministry is in talks with stakeholders and looking at the fallout from the cancellation. However, she attributed the cancellation to the previous administration, stating: “Since I did not cancel the policy, I would not be in a position to give reasons why remedial measures were not given before the cancellation.”
