NPP's 1 district 1 factory too small; We can set up thousand - UPP

Presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as part of his policies and plans to industralise and transform Ghana's economy has promised that his government plans to help establish a factory in each of the 216 districts across the country when, God-willing, he wins the 2016 elections.

The opposition leader made the commitment whilst touring the Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam, Mfantseman and Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese constituencies in the Central Region on Saturday, June 18, day 3 of his 5-day tour of the region.

According to the former justice minister in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, the plans will not only lead a rapid industrialization of Ghana’s economy, but also, will result in the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs needed by the masses of unemployed Ghanaian youth.

However, another presidential candidate and business mogul, Mr. Akwasi Addai Odike of the United Progressive Party (UPP) says the 216 factories promised by Nana Addo is too small for a country like Ghana.

According to him, more than a thousand factories can be set up in the country. He argues that, one landcruiser used by political leaders, ministers and other government functionaries as well as the pool of vehicles at the Presidency can set up factories across the country.

Speaking in an interview with Kwame Tutu on the morning show, Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Addai Odike when asked his opinion on Nana Addo's 1 district 1 factory-making 216 nationwide, he said, the number of factories promised by Nana Addo is more than feasible and attainable.

He sated that, it will be unwise for anyone to doubt this, because its possible.

''What Nana Addo promised is too small. He can set up more than a thousand factories in the country. It is extremely easy. There are some factories that can be set up with the price of a landcruiser used by government functionaries. We have a fleet of landcruisers; and the pool of vehicles at the Presidency each represent a factory. So it is very easy and i repeat, it is very simple to do.''

The UPP's industrial policy he said will focus on establishing more than the 216 promised by the NPP since Ghana is endowed with uncountable raw materials and they will be sharp to get machines and factories in place where raw materials could be turned into products.

Ghana he said had raw materials to change the living conditions of the people but we need the machines and factories to do that. Poor management has led to this, but a UPP government will manage our resources well and ensure that we get the machines and factories to get Ghana back on track as the industrial hub in the sub-region.