The One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative is the vision of His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to change the nature of Ghana’s economy from one which is dependent on import and export of raw material to one which is focused on manufacturing, value addition and export of processed goods.
The initiative as proposed by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is private sector led. To support the initiative of the 1D1F, industrial revolutionists like the Trade and Industry Minister, Hon Alan Kyerematen led the design, development and implementation of innovative programs such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA) that supports local manufacturers and provide market for the produce of 1D1F.
Under the 1D1F industrial intervention, Ghana’s own carmaker is beginning to take the market share with a range of conventional vehicles. Kantanka Car, a Ghanaian automobile manufacturing company has performed well and even doing extremely well in automobile production under the 1D1F initiative.
Kantanka has doubled production since the inception of the automobile policy. The policy supports greater economic activity and job creation in Ghana, and deliver opportunities for big and small businesses to benefit from greater trade and investment by eliminating or reducing tariffs.
Katanka has acquired the highest Certification for automobile production. The Ghana Police has since been patronizing kantanka cars after it received certification from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the customs Excise and Preventive Service, as well as certifications from from international quality standard boards and authorities. 1D1F has helped Ghanaian businesses , for instance Kantanka, obtains more benefits from foreign investment under the current initiative and new automobile policy.
Under the 1D1F initiative as well as the AfCTA, Kantanka will soon be a major exporter of automobile. The AfCTA promotes regional economic integration and build shared approaches to trade and investment between Ghana and its trading partners by eliminating tariffs, and help address behind-the-border barriers that would otherwise impede the flow of goods and services. This will deliver enhanced trade and investment opportunities that contribute to the economic growth of Ghana.
AfCTA will drive the 1D1F initiative since it supports stronger people-to -people and business-to-business links that enhance Ghana’s overall bilateral relationships with AfCTA Partners.
1D1F can continue to provide additional benefits to Ghana and trading partners over time, including via built agendas that encourage ongoing domestic reform and trade liberalisation.
Isaac Bawuah
isaacbawuahprof@gmail.com
