NPP Already Has Feasibility Study For 'One-district One-factory' Project - Gifty Ohene Konadu

Former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Gifty Ohene Konadu has refuted allegations going round that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo’s 'one district one factory' project is not possible.

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party and government officials have criticized the vision of the NPP’s Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo to build at least a factory in each district in the country.

According to them, this policy of Nana Akufo-Addo is only for vote buying as he [Nana Addo] has realised that he cannot compete the unprecedented projects of President John Dramani Mahama with any policy; thus there is no feasibility study showing specifics, the kind of projects suitable for the various districts.

Reacting to these critics, Gifty Ohene Konadu, Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem South Constituency maintained that the 'one district one factory' project will be implemented because it started under former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration.

She revealed that during Ex-President Kufuor’s era, consultants were hired to do feasibility study all over the country and submitted their report; thus, in their report came out business plans, underlying every district with its unique characteristic which shows the kinds of business to be put up.

“Some are bamboo projects, clay, ginger and all kinds of things and after that we linked up with all the district assemblies to put aside a portion of their Common Funds to support their districts. We again linked up with investors who were interested in investing in these projects in the various districts,” she disclosed.

“We also linked up with donors and embassies and the Japan Embassy even gave us consultants to help us in this policy. We went to Japan to see what they are doing in connection to the district projects we were about to do,” she added.

She however insisted that Nana Akufo-Addo’s vision is feasible as she still has the copy of the business plan on his laptop; reiterating that this is a good policy and with the available feasibility study showing all local materials in the various districts, the projects are doable if there is a positive mindset attached to it.

“So Nana Addo’s vision for 'one district one factory' is feasible and achievable; we need to develop positive thinking approach to this policy because it is very important . .  . as individuals, if we underrate ourselves in the things we do, we will be affected but if we have positive minds toward them, we can do whatever we set our mind to do. We should stop the ‘we can’t do it’ behaviour from our lives because we won’t develop if we do that,” she urged.