Focus on 1D1F, Forget Creation of New Regions – Gyampo

A research fellow with the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Professor Ransford Gyampo, has urged the government to focus on the one-district-one-factory project instead of the creation of new regions.

“I think this, in my view, is a luxury that could have been shelved or that we can still shelve and focus on delivering on the one-district-one-factory project,” he said on Citi TV’s Point of View.

One of the major arguments being advanced for the creation of new regions is that it will boost development.

But Prof. Gyampo said the one-district-one-factory project was best placed to achieve this.

The ‘One-District-One-Factory’ programme is aimed at establishing at least, one factory or enterprise in every district in Ghana as a means of fueling economic growth and battling unemployment.

He stated that “there are other basic and fundamental things that we can do to deliver development to the doorsteps of the people.

“If the idea of regional reorganisation and the creation of new regions is just about bringing about development and improving the quality of life of the people, I believe that what would deliver, would endear [people to the government] and make the government more popular in the sight of the people, will be for the government to provide the jobs at the various districts via the One-district-one-factory project and that will be something excellent.”

Prof. Gyampo also argued that over the years, there has been no positive link between the creation of more districts and development.

He instead said the existing districts needed to be adequately empowered to boost development.

“More districts have been created, but the problem of inadequate District Assemblies Common Fund still persist. The problem of the less timely release of funds still persists.”

The Justice S.A. Brobbey Commission of Inquiry recommended that the EC should hold referenda in the selected regions to determine the creation of the six new regions.

The Commission is in favour of the creation of the six new regions, i.e. Western North, Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, North East, and Oti regions from the Western, Brong Ahafo, Volta and Northern Regions.

Source: Citinewsroom