A Casa de Ropa Potato factory, a project under the One-District-One-Factory (1D1F), has been commissioned by President Akufo-Addo.
The President, while performing the sod-cutting ceremony described the day as a very happy one for Ghana since it is the second factory to be commissioned under the 1D1F initiative after the Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Factory, in Ekumfi.
“This afternoon’s ceremony is on fulfilment of the promise by Government, in partnership with the private sector, to set up at least one medium to large scale enterprise in every district of Ghana.”
He noted that 1,150 direct and indirect jobs have been created by the factory as he congratulated the management of Casa de Ropa for the progress they made, and for being able to process orange fleshed sweet potato into puree, which are further processed into biscuit, bread, crisps and chips, using improved production technology.
“Another milestone achieved by the factory is the fact that women currently constitute more than 80 percent of the workforce, as a result of a deliberate policy to empower women. As the African Union Gender Champion, I commend management for this decision.!”
He further lauded the decision taken by Casa de Ropa to be a Center of Excellence, for positioning itself as an innovative company by partnering with universities and agricultural institutions to create a platform for research and knowledge sharing between academia and industry.
The President assured that government’s support will not end at commissioning but it would do more till Ghana’s private sector is globally competitive.
“This Factory, gradually, is positioning itself as one of the most innovative food processing companies in the country, with the potential to expand its operations to take advantage of the domestic market for processed food as well as the African market.”
“Government remains committed to supporting private sector operators, like Casa de Ropa, to become globally competitive, and, thereby, take advantage of market integration frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose Secretariat has been established and commissioned in Accra.”
Commending the management of Casa de Ropa Limited for their diligence and commitment to enhance the potential of sweet potato as a new cash crop for farmers in Ghana, the President also commended EXIM Bank for granting a financing facility of about GH¢14 million in support of the project, under the 1D1F programme.
