1D1F: Funding for 10 factories in Eastern Region received – Minister

The Eastern regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfuor, has disclosed that ten (10) factories under the One-District-One Factory Policy are ready for production in the Eastern region.

According to the Minister, the factories have received funding support from government for its operationalization.

“….In respect to One District One Factory (1D1F), 10 companies have received funding in the areas of timber and charcoal production (Asuogyaman), production of paper products, starting with toilet rolls (Nsawam Adoagyiri), processing of cassava into starch for export (Birim South and Fanteakwa), manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceuticals for exports, (Nsawam Adoagyiri) fruit processing (West Akim), advocacy processing for local market and export (Suhum), fabric to be sewn into garment for export (Sekyere East), among others.”

He added “the President has already commissioned two of the factories at Asuogyaman Districts and other companies have also received approval to commence work in other districts. We are very positive that, this year, we can complete many of the factories to create more employment for people”.

The Regional Minister, nonetheless seized the opportunity to invite more investors looking for potential areas to do business “to come to the Eastern region to invest their resources since we are more than prepared to support them to succeed and make impacts in the lives of people”

He said this during a Press Soiree and Stakeholders Review Meeting held in Koforidua.

Poor road networks in the region is a major concern to investors and residents but according to the Regional Minister, the Department of Urban Roads of the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH) applied part of its budgetary allocation from the Ghana Road Fund (GRF) towards the implementation of Periodic Maintenance works on about 160 km of town roads across the municipalities and some districts in the region.

He said as at the end of 2018, a total of twenty-two (22) contracts had been awarded through National Competitive Tendering procedures pursuant to the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and Amendment Act, 2016 (Act 914).

These roads include twenty (20) minor rehabilitation and two (2) asphaltic concrete overlay works.

According to the Minister “all these contracts were awarded between October 2017 and February 2018. These contracts have between 6, 12 and 18 months of completion period depending on the scope of works.

He added “the Ghana Highway Authority (Eastern Region) under the 2018 Road Maintenance Program achieved significant progress in a number of road projects. The Achievements in 2018 include; Procurement of eight (8) new projects and their commencement in 2018. Four (4) Contractors are at site and work is progressing steadily.

Nana Osim Kwatia ll, Okuapeman Gyasehene and Amanokromhene, who chaired the Occasion called on Journalists to tilt journalism towards development to help facilitate Ghana’s growth with positive effect on living standards of Ghanaians.

The Eastern Regional Chairman of Ghana Journalists Association, Maxwell Kudekor commended Journalists in the Region for fantastic workdone in 2018 particularly on the fight against the scourge of galamsey.

He, however, charged them to do more in 2019 to hold duty bearers accountable to the people.