President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the Bodukwan Multi-Fruit Processing Factory at Sabin Nkrofuom in the Ashanti Region under the government’s flagship programme, One-district, One-factory.

The factory has an installed capacity to process three tonnes of fruits per hour and can run three shifts in a day, translating into 72 tonnes of seven different fruits per day, including mangoes, pineapples, watermelons and tomatoes, into concentrates for export and the domestic market.

Currently, the company has a 600-acre mango plantation at Bonte in the Nkoranza North District; a 300-acre oil palm plantation at Ofoase in the Asante Akim South District, a 300-acre teak plantation at Drobonso in the Sekyere Afram Plains District and an ongoing plantation of Kenaf, which is expected to reach 2,000 acres by 2022, also at Bonte.

Commission

President Akufo-Addo commissioned the factory yesterday, the second day of his three-day campaign tour of the Ashanti Region.

The ceremony, which was witnessed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, included the inspection of green houses and the Royal Jute Factory.

Jute

The Royal Jute Factory has acquired 30 per cent of machinery needed to kick-start the manufacture of jute sacks from equipment manufacturers in China (Golden Eagle Machinery).

Once the machines are fully installed, the company will produce jute sacks for the Ghanaian and the international markets.

Examples

Addressing the gathering at the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo gave examples of some of the completed 1D1F projects to include the Ekumfi Fruit Juice Factory in the Ekumfi District, Kasapreko Beverages Limited in the Kwadaso municipality, Birim Oil Mills Limited in the Kwaebibirem municipality, Casa de Ropa Limited in the Gomoa West District, Motor King in the Tamale metropolis, Leefound Company Limited in the Ningo Prampram District and Springs & Bolts Limited in the Asokwa municipality.

The others are Keda Ceramics Limited in the Shama municipality, Atebubu-Amantin Agro Processing in the Atebubu Amantin municipality, Weddi Africa Limited in the Berekum municipality, Best Fertiliser Company Limited in the Asante Akim South municipality, Rhovanni Royale Limited in the Tano South municipality, Rider Iron and Steel Ghana Limited in the Asante Akyem Central municipality, Vester Oil Mills in the Bosomtwe District and Agro Africa Limited in the Asante Akyem South municipality.

76 Factories up

President Akufo-Addo added that currently there were 76 1D1F companies that were operational and which had created 140,000 jobs across the country.

He stressed that 107 projects were currently under construction and expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2021.

Otumfuo

The President commended the Asantehene, the Ghana EXIM Bank and the Ministry of Trade and Industry for their collaboration in establishing the GH¢45-million project, which was expected to provide direct employment for over 100 people and generate at least 1,000 indirect job opportunities, particularly for the youth of the area.

Mango

Already, the promoters of the factory, Bodukwan Holdings, have established a 600-acre mango plantation and intends to source additional raw materials from out-growers in the Ashanti, Eastern, Volta, Bono East, Bono, as well as the Ahafo, regions.

President Akufo-Addo urged the management of Bodukwan Holdings to take advantage of the various government interventions, such as the Planting for Food and Jobs, and the incentives available to all 1D1F companies under his administration.

Fulfilment

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, said President Akufo-Addo was trustworthy because he had fulfilled the promises he made to the electorate in 2016.

He said the Ashanti Region had 144 factories under the 1D1F policy at various stages of completion, with 16 fully functional.

He said the government would continue to provide the environment for the creation of factories to add value to the country’s resources and create jobs and wealth for the people.