The immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, has cast doubts on the relevance of government's pledge to create one factory in each of the 216 districts nationwide.
While professing his admiration for the campaign promise, which played a significant role in the run-up to the 2016 general elections, Prof. Aryeetey said nothing showed that the country needed factories in each district.
He made the observation at the Graphic Business-Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting in Accra on Tuesday morning.
The meeting on the theme: Public private dialogue on stability, growth and jobs, is aimed at stimulating discussions on how the country can restore macroeconomic stability to help inspire growth and job creation.
Prof Aryeetey in his submission said government should rather work at a district industrialisation plan that will serve as a benchmark for the creation of factories by private sector.
Beyond the relevance of the one district, one factory pledge, Prof Aryeetey was also of the belief that the government would not be able to implement the policy, which has now been christened as district industrialisation programme.
He also called for increased commitment to agriculture, explaining that the country's desire to arrest the teeming unemployment would not materialise if growth in agriculture was left to continue to lag behind.
He advised government to tactically modernise agriculture, invest in agric extension officers and help link farming to agro-processing.
This, he said, would improve the lot of the farming business, which will then be more empowered to create more jobs.
PEF President disagrees
However, the President of the Private Enterprise Federation (PEF), Nana Osei Bonsu, contributing said experience available at the private sector showed that the government's one district, one factory programme was "feasible, doable and relevant."
"Prof, we think that it is the way to go," he said in a response to the doubt by the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, over the relevance of the programme.
Nana Bonsu, whose organisation comprises eight umbrella bodies of business associations, said the one district one factory policy is needed to help stem unemployment and boost the capacity of the private sector while growing the economy.
He, however, agreed with Prof. Aryeetey that job creation would not occur in the cities and towns hence the need for policy initiatives to be targeted at rural communities.
Source: graphic.com.gh
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Am very surprise & disappointed that this is coming from a professor of one of the most respected universities of the country. As a Ghanaian am fedbup with leaders who see more impossibilities than the possibles. Prof. I put it to u that it can more than be done. Look are you politising this Godgiven industrialization agenda? How much is the prise of 1 land cruiser? It cost between Gh350000-Gh600000(3.5-6 billion old Ghana CEDI's) which means the cost of 3 land cruisers could possibility created 1 factory. Prof. You did not critise Manama when he was giving out these land cruisers free of charge to chiefs in the waste. Please, if you have not simpathy for the you of this country I will advise you keep quiet and allow this government to roll out the policy. It is doable and feasible and the youth is excited about it. Or perhaps you want the money to be wasted on chiefs?
Remember he is a senior economist to the vice president
Call it One District One Factory or District Insdustrialisation or what ever, it comes to the same thing, improve livelihhodsa at the disyrict level not just at the national level. This is serious movement away from what we use to do all these years; to develop the economic base of Ghana from the national level. So let us not bother so much as to how we call it but rather, agree that the focus now should be at the district level. Period. So those who claim they are Professors, Drs and what have you, bring your ideas about how to create the jobs, increase productivity and profits at the local level so that the Ghanaian can earn a better livelihood.
I find it difficult when ppl who are supposed to be matured turn to insult ppl for speaking their mind. If you don't agree with the Prof. you don't need to insult his intelligence. What if what he said becomes the truth at the end of the day would you take back your insults? It has become like a norm now for just anybody to get up and throw insults at anybody they don't agree with on the line of politics. Am really sad Ghana is heading this way and if nothing is done about it now the future is then doomed for us as a Nation.God help us.
1 Woman, 5 Vagi.nas. I Man, 3 Penizes.
prof criticizing a policy can not help to develop this country. but we need the can doo spirit. no wonder we have prof. of mechanical automobile engineers ,prof. of project managers and cost managers, but sarfo kantaka is building cars without book prof.and a vice president have to bring to the notice of this book prof. to realize that a huge amount is been use on vice presidential villa.how much was black star capiting Asamoah Agyam villa cost.yes the building prof. will argued that the geographical location is different yes agree but the difference is too much. this country don,t need prof but people with positive mind set ,discipline, honest and commitment spirit to develop this country
Could this really be coming from the Prof? I have my doubts. May be he has been misrepresented - our journalist nowadays can always twist what people say.
And this man Prof. Aryeetey is a member of the economic advisory team? He must be removed from the team immediately before his negative influence has an effect on the others.
Ernest, Your opinion is important in the management of this our beloved country so take it to the decision makers instead of putting it out there in a speech. A for VC of Legon must be able to offer his expertise to the government. You know how you can be heard by the decision makers so do exactly that. I know you support the NDC and that is alright. We all can't belong to the same party but go to the right channels to offer your advise. Don't fall into this usual trap!!
Is he the Prof. Who was in ISSER?.No doudt Ghana is doomed.