Editorial
IMPORTANCE OF 1D1F
When the government, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, first announced that it was going to promote a programme known as One District One Factory (1D1F), a section of the public felt that this was not going to achieve anything.
On the contrary, the 1D1F programme has proved successful and is being undertaken in various parts of the country.
The President recently returned from the Northern part of the country where he inaugurated tomato and watermelon factories under the 1D1F.
Apart from the North, other parts of the country are also experiencing the positive impact of 1D1F.
Under the programme, a $16 million-tomato factory has been inaugurated by the President in the Berekum West District of the Bono Region.
Government, through Ghana EXIM Bank and Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), facilitated the acquisition of the loan facility to support the establishment and operations of the factory concerned which is owned by Weddi Africa Limited.
The good news is that the company is a wholly-owned Ghanaian entity. The 1D1F is, therefore, a reality and thereby helping to transform the economy of Ghana.
More of the factories under the 1D1F programme are needed in the country to maximise the benefits it can unleash for the economic growth of the country.
The tomato factory in Bono Region, for example, will process some 40,000 metric tonnes of fresh tomatoes per annum and will have also a 500 metric-tonne cold room to store fresh tomato fruits.
This, together with other benefits, such as employment of the youth in the area will help to transform the economic fortunes of the country.
For this reason, people must sit up and render their support to the government in uplifting the economic integrity of Ghanaians.
This is the only way economic development can be realised or put on a higher pedestal.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
