PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF THE ONE DISTRICT ONE FACTORY (1D1F) POLICY: EXPERIENCES FROM THE AKUAPEM NORTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY (ANMA

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the prospects and challenges of Ghana’s current industrialization policy the 1D1F, using the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly (ANMA) as a case. Using qualitative methodologies, the case study design was used. Primary data for the study was collected by interviews, and they were supplemented with secondary data from scholarly materials, reports, and bulletins.

The study found that three 1D1F factories have been set up in the municipality so far. The roles played by the municipal assembly in implementing the policy include facilitation of 1D1F projects and provision of financial and technical support. Measures instituted by the assembly in implementing the policy include providing financial and technical support for entrepreneurs in the municipality, community sensitization and preparation to ensure ownership and sustainability of factories, and provision of warehouses for the expected products from factories.

The study revealed a number of challenges, including, lack of adequate funding to support the policy, low use of technology, poor rural infrastructure, and poor marketing channels, poor collaboration among related ministries and agencies and other stakeholders and politicization of the policy.

The study concludes that overall, the government has demonstrated a high level of commitment to the industrialization in Ghana through the 1D1F. In order to ensure that this commitment inures to the benefit of residents in the districts, it is important that the setting up of factories across the municipality is done taking into cognizance the municipality’s own peculiarities that would strengthen government’s effort to establish factories through the private sector.