Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen has commissioned a rice processing factory in Savelugu in the Northern Region as part of the One District One Factory (1D1F) industrialisation project.

The Minister led a team of officials in the Northern Region to commission the Savelugu rice processing factories at a short ceremony on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

Under the theme "Boosting Local Enterprise For Job Creation and Economic Prosperity Towards a Ghana Beyond Aid", the latest commissioning adds to several local enterprises boosted by the 1D1F.

The Trade and Industry Minister charged natives and other home-based technocrats to move towards industrialisation in a bid to create a Ghana Beyond Aid.

The rice processing factory is set to employ hundreds of Ghanaians both in direct and indirect Agricultural chains.

As a flagship social intervention and unemployment remedy, One District One Factory is a brainchild of Alan Kyerematen and has since lived up to its billing in the last six years.

New factories and enterprises have been set up under the policy whiles existing state-owned and private firms have been revamped with logistics and finances.

Known for his industrial expertise, Hon Alan Kyerematen carved a niche in the political space thanks to his rich foresight on future economic trends and employment demands.

Speaking at the Commissioning of the Rice processing factory in Savelugu, the Trade Minister said, “I believe you will agree with me that for any industrialisation drive to thrive, there will be the need for ready technological support in terms of equipment repairs, component and spare parts provision, maintenance and other services. Accordingly, what we have done is introduce the Technology Solution Centre concept under the Rural Enterprises Programme and the GRATIS Foundation.”

“As indicated by the National Director of REP, Savelugu Technology Solution Centre is expected to support not only the rice factory here, but provide modern-day technology support services to all factories in its catchment area.

“To ensure the sustainability of the operations of the Technology Solution Centre, processes are underway to recruit a private-sector operating firm. Full-scale operations will then commence as soon as the process is completed", Hon Alan Kyerematen told the stakeholders present.

He then urged the District Assemblies to provide other logistics needed for the smooth administration of the facility.

“Let me thank the District Assemblies for providing the land and Electricity Transformer for the factories. I urge them to provide all other needed support at the local level to ensure that the factories are profitable and sustainable and ultimately contribute to the promotion of local economic development. Let me also invite financial institutions especially the Participating Financial Institutions under the 1D1F programme to support these companies with the required financial assistance to make them more competitive. The Ministry will continue to provide the enabling business environment to ensure the sustainability of your businesses", the visibly excited Trade Minister urged.

The industrial revolutionist has given life to the home-based technocrats with persistent calls for empowering the technicians and other Vocation specialists.

He is expected to commission other factories in the coming months as part of the Agenda One District One Factory (1D1F)Project.