GH 14m disbursed to assist 48 1D1F companies – Trade Min.

By Eugene Davis

Ghana Exim Bank has distrib uted GH14 m (14,407,808) to 48 One District One Factory(1D1F) Companies aimed at helping businesses and boosting industrialization drive, the Minister of Trade and Industry, K.T Hammond, has told lawmakers.

The 1D1F programme is a demand driven initiative facilitated by government to assist the private sector to establish at least one manufacturing enterprise in each of the 261 Districts of the country.

Appearing before Parliament on Tuesday, Mr. Hammond revealed this when he responded to a question by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Nalerigu/Gambaga,who enquired how much each of the 60 1D1F companies benetted from the disbursement of the GH 14.41 through EXIM Bank under the 1D1F project.

In his response, Mr Hammond said his ministry had in March 2022 inadvertently stated to the House that 60 1D1F companies had been supported by Ghana Exim Bank for which “we wish to the House.”

Bene ciary companies

Giving a background down of the bene ciary companies, Mr Hammond said Rhovanni Royal Ltd received GH 287,587, Royal Jute Company GH 127 500, Pro-Life Infusions GH 138,624.37, Asamoa & Yamoa Farms GH 275,000, Boris "B" Farms & Veterinary Supplies GH 491,555.

He said others were Darko Farms GH 34,319.37, Modern Global Industries Limited GH 55,000, Weddi Africa Limited GH 441,497.85, Bodukwan Farms Limited GH 108,851, Bloom elds Ltd GH 11,250, Central Oil Mills Limited GH 110,000, Ekum Fruits & Juices GH 1 million, Peters eld & Rey Group Ltd GH 165,314, Casa De Ropa GH 227,377.10, Akuapem Gold Agro-processing Ltd GH 781,859 and Zuriel Carbon Products Limited GH 75,759.48.

He also mentioned Asikess Ventures as receiving GH 269,743, Miracle Fruits Processing Ghana Limited

GH55,000, Pam Pharmaceuticals GH 326,005.40, Bomarts Farms Limited GH 177,215, Nano Foods Limited

Processing GH 355,611, Akro Farms Ltd GH 48,125, Appah Farms GH 58,903, Dorothy Kani Agro-Industries

GH 257,224, Maagrace Garment Industries Ltd

GH 29,654, Blackstar Foods Ltd GH 928,156, Super Contec Company Ltd GH 264,951, and Agricultural Manufacturing Group GH 776,437.

Others were Go Big Company Ltd GH 66,137, Homefoods Processing & Cannery GH 110,000, Atlantic Lifesciences GH 715,000, Dannex GH 618,750, Entrance Pharmaceuticals & Research GH 1,320,000, Ernest Chemist GH 549,403, Eskay Therapeutics GH 275,000, Kinapharma GH 543,583, Delawin Farms Ltd GH 23,713, Farm Fresh Foods Limited GH 192,690 and R & R Luxury Touch GH 45,613.

The remaining, he said, were Al e Designs GH 27,500, Anowah Afrique Company Limited GH 55,000, Dignity DTRT Limited GH 637,500, KAD Manufacturing GH 44,546, Champion Food Industries Ltd GH 274,537, CH Global GH 16,500, PLOT Commodities GH 891,960 and GKV Investments GH 33,147.

Manufacturing hub

On the question of whether there was a conscious plan to make manufacturing the major thrust of employment creation beyond mining as well as oil and gas, the minister answered in the a rmative.

He said since the inception of the administration of the New Patriotic Party, the government had put in place comprehensive framework for which industrial transformation known as 10-point plan which was aimed at making Ghana the manufacturing hub of Africa.

There was also a question by the NDC MP for Pru East, Dr Kwabena Donkor, who asked what e orts the ministry was making to develop the water bottling industry to international standards and thus end the importation of water into Ghana.

Responding, Mr Hammond said there were stringent regulatory procedures put in place by the Food and Drugs Authority for the licensing of packaged water (bottled and sachet) manufacturing facilities and for the registration of the nished packaged water.

He said the premises of these manufacturing facilities were regularly inspected using the Authorities Guidelines, FDA/FDI/GLFPF/2020/02.

“The inspection covers the starting material (water) and packaging materials to ensure that they meet their respective Standards; and the nished product meets the requirement of GS175-1:2002 (for drinking water) and GS220:2014 (for mineral water).

“The FDA also conducts market surveillance and prod- uct analysis of products in circulation on the market to keep pace with the phenomenal growth of bottled water and sachet manufacturing,” he said.

The minister added that regulatory framework for conformity assessment bodies involved in testing, inspection and certi cation would be further be strengthened with the consideration and passage of the Ghana Accreditation Service Bill which was currently referred to relevant committee of Parliament.