'1 district, 1 Factory',not campaign promise but a policy statement of the NPP

Special aid to Nana Akufo Addo, presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Musa Superior has said that the '1 district, 1 Factory promised by his boss is just a campaign promise but policy statement.

Musa Superior speaking in an interview with Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the aid to the opposition leader said, this promise is clear and will be captured in the 2016 manifesto of the NPP which will be launched by the party in some few months.

The presidential candidate addressing students at the Cape Coast University during an open forum said, as part of plans to industrialise and transform the Ghanaian economy, his government will help establish a factory in each of the 216 districts across the country when, God-willing, he wins the 2016 elections.

According to Nana Addo “the only way to free ourselves from the shackles of poverty is by fixing our monetary system. If we are to do this, our monetary system must be stable and strong. This is the only way we can empower Ghanaians. We want to help the private sector to flourish, and we will help establish factories in every district to help create jobs for the people.''

Reiterating his boss' commitment, Musa Superior said this policy of one district, one factory is doable, and urged Ghanaians not to be hoodwinked by the usual propaganda of “they can’t do it” and that “it is not possible''.

The policy he said is an NPP policy which is meant to solve the increasing rate of youth unemployment in the country, which he opined, the NDC has failed in doing.

''This not only a campaign promise made by Nana Addo but a policy statement which will be captured in our 2016 manifesto when we announce it in a couple of months from now. The major problem we have in Ghana today is unemployment...On the streets of Accra; the danger, the insecurity and the suffering of the youth on the streets of Accra should be of concern to government but that is not what we see. And Nana Addo as candidate has shown clearly that, he is concerned. It is an NPP policy to make sure, every district in the country is given an opportunity to start an industry so that the residents in those districts do not migrate to the capital city chasing after non-existent jobs.''

Musa Superior answering a question as to whether the factories are going to be a cottage or huge industries had this to say.

''Depending on the local area and the the raw materials that will be extracted in that local area; This is a simple thing and when you have a smart, determined and dedicated leadership, this is not something we should talk about; because this is an ambitious and straight forward policy. We are not going to have huge factories in these districts like those in Accra.''

He argued, this is a policy that will succeed and citing the University of Development Studies (UDS) which was established by former President Jerry John Rawlings, he said 'it is a perfect example' for us to learn from.

''If you understand how the University of Development Studies (UDS) was brought a bought by Jerry Rawlings, them you will understand that when you understand that anybody who have a bigger vision; a vision that probably is not visioned by majority of the people; a vision that people think is crazy and you are able to pursue that vision, you are going to succeed. UDS was started from a dilapidated structure in Nyankpala; today it is one of the top most universities in sub-Saharan Africa, and that is the kind of vision we have for Ghanaians.''

Musa Superior stressed, all what the NPP seeks to do is to create an environment with opportunities for people in the local areas, and the ''industries will come. In some areas, we will have a full fledged industry and in other areas we will be looking at the situation and start something like a cottage industry...All we are seeking to do is to find a mechanized system to create jobs for our unemployed youth in our local areas.''

This policy is dear to Nana Addo's heart. And he will pursue it vigorously to ensure rapid industriulisation of Ghana's economy.''

He further maintained, the policy will also find people to revive 'dead factories' which was set up by Kwame Nkrumah as part of the number of factories promised.