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The president of Ghana has commissioned a fruit and juices factory in Ekumfi district within the central region on Friday, August 21, 2020. This is in relation to the fulfillment of one of the flagship campaign policies of President Nana Akuffo Addo.
Exactly three years ago, on 21st August 2017 the President cut the sod for the construction of the Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Factory as the first project initiated under the One district, One factory initiative.
At the ceremony, he stated in his speech that despite all the criticism from political opponents, he was resilient in fulfilling his promises.
“Nearly three years down the line, we have confounded the doubting thomases, and I am very happy to be back here in Ekumfi and indeed very proud to commission the Ekumfi Fruit and Juices Factory. As we can all see this project has been well-planned and well-thought through, with raw materials needed for the successful implementation of this project already present and an out-grower scheme in place” said the President.
He also added that, “A total investment of fifteen million dollars of which ten million dollars was a facility from Ghana Exim Bank has been made. Presently, the production capacity of the factory is ten tons of processed juice per hour, utilizing some ten thousand fruits per hour. This means that the factory requires four (4) acres of pineapple fruits to be harvested for processing every hour”.
President Akufo Addo further explained that the rationale for the 1D1F initiative is to transformed the industrial landscape of the country, build the capacities of local entrepreneurs and existing enterprises to produce high quality products and services for both domestics and foreign market.
With the creation of direct employment for over five hundred and fifty (550) people and more than one thousand (1,000) indirect job opportunities in Ekumfi and other adjoining district, the youth of Ekumfi expressed their excitement and appreciation to the President.
Also, the establishment of the factory has improved the income level and standard of living of the people, as well as reduced rural- urban migration.
“The Ekumfi fruits and Juices Factory is yet another example of Government’s determination to promote the industrial transformation of our country. Government will continue to partner the private sector to establish similar modern factories and which would be globally competitive and take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area, that will begin trading on 1st January next year” said the president.
