1 district, 1 factory - 51 Districts identified for implementation - Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that the first batch of 51 districts for the implementation of the one district, one factory policy has been identified. He said the ‘Asempa Budget’, as approved by Parliament, had earmarked $465 million for the setting up of the 51 factories.
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He gave an assurance that each of the 216 districts across the country would get a factory within the first four years of his government, in fulfilment of his one district, one factory campaign pledge.
The President made this known during separate courtesy calls on the Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosome Asor Nkrawiri II, and the Omanhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, at their respective palaces on the final day of his two-day tour of the Brong Ahafo Region.
“All I ask for is God’s wisdom, guidance and strength, and I assure you that by the end of my first term in office each district will have a factory. Fifty one out of 216 in my first year indicates that even before my first four years are over, each district will have its own factory,” he said.
The President told the chiefs that the purpose of his presence in the region and in their palaces was to thank the people of the region, in particular residents of Sunyani and Dormaa, for the support offered him in the 2016 elections.
“Whether you voted for me or not, whether you supported me or not, I am going to be President for all and I am going to work with each and every one of you.
“As President, I need the support of all the chiefs and traditional rulers across the country. This is the only way we can develop all parts of the country and bring prosperity to all,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Galamsey
Addressing the issue of galamsey, he stated that his government had resolved to stop the menace which was destroying lands and water bodies, stressing that “the Ghana bequeathed to us by our forebears is the same Ghana we must leave for unborn generations”.
On recent happenings in Kumasi involving some members of the Delta Force, President Akufo-Addo stated that if the rule of law was to work in Ghana, then the law must be no respecter of persons, nor should it be a respecter of one’s political affiliation.
“If you, as a paramount chief, flout the law, the law must deal with you,” he added.
With the Omanhene of Dormaa requesting for the construction of a sports stadium in the Brong Ahafo Region and the completion of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Dormaa, the President gave an assurance that in due course those requests would be granted.
“I inherited a poor economy. Nonetheless, we are beginning to turn the fortunes of our country around and we will find the money for the construction of the stadium and the completion of the university,” the President added.
Listening government
On the decision to listen to Ghanaians and accommodate various shades of opinions on national matters, Nana Akufo-Addo said: “It is for this reason that I invited my three predecessors to seek their views on certain governance and development- related issues. They accepted my invitation and gave me invaluable advice. This will not be a ‘one-day wonder’. It will be a feature of my administration.”
At a durbar held on the Dormaa Presby Park in his honour, President Akufo-Addo assured trainee nurses of the restoration of their allowances from September 2017.
Additionally, the free senior high school policy would commence from September 2017, beginning with students who qualified for entry to SHS in the 2017/2018 academic year.
“All the promises I made during the campaign were not just mere promises. These are pledges I will fulfil and I assure you that under my administration, Ghana will be returned onto the path of progress and prosperity,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo with the Omanhene of Dormaa
President Akufo-Addo with the Omanhene and Queenmother of Sunyani