The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has cast doubt over the impact of the much-publicised One District, One Factory (1D1F) policy, describing it as a programme that was “largely visible on paper” but failed to deliver the expected results on the ground.
Speaking in an interview with Akwasi Nsiah on Badwam on Adom TV, the Minister said that since assuming office, she is yet to see tangible outcomes from the policy introduced under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration.
“From what I have seen so far, the One District, One Factory policy did not make the impact it was supposed to make. It looked good on paper, but the real results were not felt,” she stated.
President Akufo-Addo launched the 1D1F initiative as a flagship industrialisation programme aimed at transforming Ghana’s economy through decentralised production.
The policy was intended to ensure that each district hosts at least one factory, using local raw materials to create jobs, add value to agricultural produce, and reduce the country’s dependence on imports. Government support under the programme included tax exemptions, access to credit, and infrastructure assistance to attract private sector investment.
However, Madam Ofosu-Adjare questioned the extent to which these objectives were achieved. Citing the Ekumfi Juice Factory as an example, she noted that the facility was not established from scratch under the policy.
“The Ekumfi Juice Factory that is often mentioned was not a factory built from the ground up. It existed before, so we need to be honest about what truly came out of 1D1F,” she explained.
Despite her criticism, the Minister said her Ministry is taking steps to support existing factories to improve productivity and sustainability. She disclosed that measures are being put in place to help the Ekumfi Juice Factory operate at full capacity.
The Techiman North legislator also revealed renewed interest from the private sector in government-led economic initiatives, particularly the proposed 24-hour economy.
“A lot of private companies have approached the Ministry to be enrolled onto the 24-hour economy programme. Most of them will begin operations this year,” she said.
According to her, the rollout of the 24-hour economy is expected to boost production, expand the economy, and create employment opportunities for the growing number of unemployed youth across the country.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare stressed that going forward, the focus will be on practical, results-driven policies that have a direct and measurable impact on jobs and economic growth.
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