The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MOTAI), Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has confirmed to Parliament that the One-District-One-Factory (1D1F) program, a key initiative of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, has been discontinued.
Alongside the cancellation of the policy, she stated that there are currently no existing incentives offered under the program. “Mr. Speaker, I want to draw the House’s attention to the fact that as of now, there is no policy as 1D1F,” she declared in Parliament on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
New Focus: Agro-Processing Parks Under 24-Hour Economy
Responding to questions from members of Parliament, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare explained that with the 1D1F program no longer in place, her ministry has shifted its focus to agro-processing parks, which fall under the government’s new 24-hour economy policy.
She described the 24-hour economy policy as the “new game changer,” aiming to make Ghana’s economy operate vibrantly around the clock.
“We are doing agro-parks which seek to be a great game changer especially in the agro-processing zones and it is being worked on to ensure we are able to produce around the clock for import substitution, export, foreign exchange and to create jobs for our teeming youth,” she elaborated.
The Minister made these revelations while answering a question from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin. He had inquired about the specific incentives and investment promotion packages being used to attract private sector investment, given the 1D1F cancellation. He also asked about measures to reduce risks for private sector investments in the industrial sector, particularly in less developed districts, and whether new industrial parks were being considered.
The 1D1F initiative, which began in 2017 under the immediate past NPP administration, aimed to transform Ghana’s economy. Its goal was to move away from relying on raw material exports and finished goods imports towards manufacturing, adding value to products, and exporting processed goods.
Investment Packages and Transitional Measures
Regarding investment packages, the Minister stated that the new 24-hour economy policy, which will include all investment incentives, is currently under review and will be presented to Parliament once finalized. She affirmed MOTAI’s commitment to all Ghanaian industries and to creating a supportive environment for their growth. She clarified that under the 24-hour economy policy, various incentives are available for all industries to utilize.
On the question of whether any components of the 1D1F projects had been integrated into the new 24-hour policy, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare responded affirmatively.
She also addressed a question from the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, who sought information on the transitional measures the ministry was considering following the 1D1F cancellation. Mr. Ayariga noted that Parliament had approved significant tax benefits for many companies operating under the 1D1F program.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare stated that MOTAI is currently in discussions with various stakeholders to assess the implications of the 1D1F program’s cancellation. She also emphasized that the decision to cancel the program should not be attributed to her, and that questions regarding the reasons for its termination should be directed elsewhere, as she was not responsible for the cancellation itself.
“Since I did not cancel the policy, I would not be in a position to give reasons why remedial measures were not given before the cancellation,” she concluded.
