1D1F: Nothing is taking place in Volta Region - NDC tells Akufo-Addo

The opposition National Democratic Congress' (NDC's) Communications Directorate in the Volta is demanding its share of the "One District One Factory" flagship policy promised by President Akufo-Addo

The 1D1F which is a major policy of the government is set to ignite Ghana's industrialization and set her on course for socio-economic development.

This policy is aimed at establishing one factory in all districts in Ghana as a means of creating economic growth poles that would accelerate the development of areas and create jobs for the teeming youth.

It was launched by President Akufo-Addo at Ekumfi in the Central Region as one of his major 2016 campaign promises.

But in a statement issued by the NDC Volta Regional Communication Outfit and signed its Communications Officer, S. K Agbleze, copied to the media said nothing has been done in the Region as far as the 1D1F is concerned.

"The giant policy which aims to transform the structure of the economy from one dependent on production and export of raw materials to value added industrialized economy is not having the needed vigour as expected with absolute nothing taking place in Volta region", the statement read.

The statement emphasized that "We recall, H.E Nana Addo at the launch of the 1D1F at Ekumfi, when he made it clear that there could be no future prosperity for the people in the short, medium or long term if we continue to maintain economic structures that are dependent on production and export of raw materials. This statement speaks to the peculiar situation of Volta Region where raw material production abounds with little or no value addition'.

"...This is indeed a statement of fact, however taking the 2016 manifesto of the NPP which has the theme "Change: Agenda for jobs" is not reflecting in the lives of our people, rather there is widespread joblessness due to the fact that no new promised factory is established and existing ones are collapsing due to the current hash economic policies of the government", the statement added.

The statement quizzed "Why is Volta region left out of such a plan, after two and half years into the Nana Addo government, not even a single factory to keep the hope of the people alive'.

The statement noted that unemployment is killing the people in the Region especially the youth and therefore calling on President Akufo-Addo to honour his major promise.

"It is said the only hope left for a man is his honour, we call on the president to hold his honour high by fulfilling the 1D1F promised the people of Volta Region", the statement concluded.

Below is the full statement

VOLTA REGION DEMANDS IT'S SHARE OF ONE DISTRICT ONE FACTORY (1D1F)PROMISED BY NANA ADDO

The people of Ghana, specifically Voltarians vividly remembers the one district one factory (1D1F) promised by H.E Nana Addo in 2016.

The 1D1F which is a major policy of the government is set to ignite Ghana's industrialization and set her on course for socio- economic development. This policy is aimed at establishing one factory in all districts in Ghana as a means of creating economic growth poles that would accelerate the development of areas and create jobs for the teeming youth.

The giant policy which aims to transform the structure of the economy from one dependent on production and export of raw materials to a value added industrialised economy is not having the needed vigour as expected with absolute nothing taking place in Volta region.

We recall, H.E Nana Addo at the launch of the 1D1F at Ekumfi, when he made it clear that there could be no future prosperity for the people in the short, medium or long term if we continue to maintain economic structures that are dependent on production and export of raw materials. This statement speaks to the peculiar situation of Volta region where raw material production abounds with little or no value addition.

We question the commitment level of the president to the above call as far as his promise of 1D1F to the people of Volta is concerned, since there are no signs of 1D1F in Volta that we can strongly point our fingers at. Aside the 1D1F, President Akufo Addo made a specific promise of making Ketu South and Ketu North an industrial hub. There is nothing going on also in Ketu North or Ketu South in regard to such a promise also.

The president eloquently and rightly put it when he said, "the time has come to bring prosperity to all Ghanaians, it is the only way we can deal effectively with the greatest threat to our future widespread unemployment amongst our youth". This is indeed a statement of fact, however taking the 2016 manifesto of the NPP which has the theme " Change: Agenda for jobs" is not reflecting in the lives of our people, rather there is wide spread joblessness due to the fact that no new promised factory is established and existing ones are collapsing due to the current hash economic policies of the government.

Why is Volta region left out of such a plan, after two and half years into the Nana Addo government, not even a single factory to keep the hope of the people alive. This is so because there are many unemployed youths in the Volta region who bought into this electoral promise of 1D1F which accounted for the generous votes the NPP had in some constituencies in the Volta region.

The GCB 1 Billion support to the 1D1F if equitably disburse would have provided GhC100Million for each Region more or less. And that is significant to provide at least ONE factory of a sort for the Volta Region.

If the NPP in the Volta Region needs any evidence that they are just drawers of water and hewers of wood for the NPP elite, they need not look any further. 1D1F must be sufficient proof to them that, they are slaves and have elected unto themselves a master.

The Nana Addo government is already in his third year with absolute no sign of 1D1F in Volta. This leaves one to painfully conclude that the 1D1F was just a campaign gimmick without any serious commitment to fulfill them to the people of the Volta region.

The people of the Volta region are awakening to the fact that the 1D1F is a promise and fail initiative without any serious commitment to redeeming it and can best be described as a failed promise, a cheap talk and an empty slogan.

It is said the only hope left for a man is his honour, we call on the president to hold his honour high by fulfilling the 1D1F promised the people of Volta region.

Signed!

S. K Agbleze (RCO)

Bright Delali Kugbeadzor (DRCO)

NDC Volta Regional Communication Outfit