The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan John Kyerematen, has stated that government’s comprehensive industrial transformation programme, initiated since 2017, is on course to making the country a leading manufacturing hub in Africa.

Notable among these comprehensive industrialization initiatives, he mentioned includes one district one factory (1D1F), the strategic anchor industries initiative, one region one park initiative- tailored to establish industrial parks and special economic solutions in each region, medium and MSME entrepreneurship development programme, and the national export develop strategy, among other businesses enabling reforms.

“The 1D1F initiative in particular, seeks to contribute significantly to the transformation of Ghana’s economy from one dependent on private product export to an industrialized economy. With key objectives of adding value to natural resources endowment in each district, promoting import substitution and conserving foreign exchange, creating job opportunities for the youth in rural and urban communities thereby reducing poverty and reducing rural urban migration,” he said.

He indicated that 232 1D1F factories in 154 districts are at various stages of implementation, which includes 64 existing companies that are in expansion and 162 new companies. “Projects operating under 1D1F-76, under construction-107, ready to commence construction-36,” he added.

He urged manufacturers and business people to take advantage of the various trade opportunities including Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to maximize their gains and scale up production to create more jobs and boost economic growth in the country.

The Minister made these remarks in a statement read on his behalf at the 5th annual Ghana Manufacturers Awards held under the theme: ‘Leveraging on AfCFTA; the role of 1D1F’.

He stated that government is determined to ensure that indigenous manufacturing companies take full advantage of AfCFTA and as such the Ministry of Trade and Industry was the first in the sub-region to put together the measures for processing AfCFTA Rules of Origin Certificate.

He also commended the manufacturing sector for its resilience and continues contributions toward the country’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

At the 5th Manufacturers Awards, 28 outstanding companies and individuals from different sectors were awarded for resilience, transformative initiatives and excellent. Seven others were also honored with special awards.

Full List of winners

Promising Manufacturing Company of the Year, Mchammah Engineering Company Limited; Beverages Producing Company of the Year – Non-Alcoholic- Blowchem Industries Limited (Bel Beverages); Fabrication Company of the Year, Harlequin International Ghana; Steel Manufacturing Company of the Year, Fabrimetal Ghana Limited; Brand of the Year Award, Poly Tanks Ghana Limited; Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility, Fabrimetal Ghana Limited; and CEO of the Year, Pawan Aidasani (Jay Kay Industries & Investments Limited).

Others include Manufacturing Company of the Year, B5 Plus Limited; Water Producing Company of the Year, Twellium Industrial Company Limited (Verna); Food Processing Company of the Year, De United Foods Industries GH Limited (Indomie); Best Growing Manufacturing Company of the Year, Gold Coast Food, Herbs and Spices (Sankofa Natural Spices); Agro-Processing Company of the Year, Wilmar Africa Limited; Roofing Manufacturing Company of the Year, Rocksters Roofing Systems Limited; and Bottling Company of the Year, Blowchem Industries Limited.

Electrical Manufacturing Company of the Year, Alpha TND Limited; Marketing Campaign of the Year, Wilmar Africa Limited (Fortune Rice & Frytol); Excellence in Health, Safety Environment and Quality, Alpha TND Limited; Excellence in Health, Safety Environment and Quality, Royal Crown Packaging Limited; Manufacturing Innovations Award, Magnifico Limited; Entrepreneur of the Year, Dr. Kwaku Oteng (Angel Group of Companies); Beverages Producing Company of the Year – Alcoholic- Adonko Bitters Limited (Adonko); and Paper Product Manufacturing Company of the Year, Jay Kay Industries & Investments Limited.

Cosmetic Manufacturing Company of the Year, MGL Naturals Mansuki Ghana Limited; Export Manufacturing Company of the Year, Blue Skies; Ceramic Manufacturing Company, Twyford Ceramics (Keda Ghana); Cement Manufacturing Company of the Year, Ghacem Limited; Confectionary Products Manufacturing Company of the Year, Twellium Industrial Company Limited (Mcberry); and Watch Manufacturing Company of the Year, Caveman Watches

Special Recognition Award

Covid Response Initiative Award, Blowchem Industries Limited; Emerging Brand of the Year Award- Dominion Paints Manufacturing Company; Industrialist of the Year, Mike Mukesh Thakwani; 1D1F Honorary Award (Drinks), Ekumfie Fruits and Juices Factory; 1D1F Honorary Awards (Steel), B5 Plus Group; 1D1F Financial Service Provider of the Year, Agricultural Development Bank of Ghana (ADB); Product of the Year, Caveman Watches; and Leadership Excellence Award, Pankaj Bhati (Alpha TND Limited).