Some factories established under Ghana’s One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative have reportedly been converted into churches after failing to operate as intended, according to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim.
The Minister attributed the situation to poor planning and the siting of some factories in districts without the raw materials needed to sustain production.
Speaking before Parliament’s Assurance Committee, he argued that political considerations influenced the location of some projects at the expense of long-term economic viability.
Poor Planning Blamed
Ahmed Ibrahim said several factories were established in areas where the required raw materials were either unavailable or insufficient to support continuous production.
According to him, some project locations were selected largely because of political considerations rather than careful economic assessments.
He questioned the sustainability of such decisions, noting that many of the factories have since ceased operations.
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Factories Left Idle
The Minister revealed that some of the abandoned factory buildings are now being used as churches after industrial activities came to a halt.
He cited the development as evidence of the need for better planning and feasibility studies before embarking on major industrial projects.
Lessons for Future Projects
Mr. Ibrahim said the government intends to avoid similar challenges under its proposed 24-hour economy initiative.
He explained that future projects will be guided by research, feasibility studies, and local economic assessments to ensure they are established in commercially viable locations.
According to him, District Chief Executives will work with the government to identify communities where proposed projects can operate sustainably and create lasting employment opportunities.
Focus on Sustainability
The Minister stressed that future industrial projects must prioritize economic viability over political interests.
He said locating industries closer to raw materials and existing commercial activities would improve productivity, reduce operational costs and enhance long-term sustainability.
Building Stronger Local Economies
Ahmed Ibrahim expressed confidence that the new approach would help the government avoid past mistakes while promoting more sustainable industrial development.
He maintained that careful planning and evidence-based decision-making would ensure future investments deliver greater economic benefits for communities across the country.
