President Akufo-Addo last week Friday commissioned a plant for the manufacture of vaccines, anti-snake serums, eye drops, inhalation anaesthesia products, syrups, tablets and capsules.
The facility was established by Atlantic Lifesciences at Larkpleku, in the Ningo-Prampram district of the Greater Accra Region, under the One District One Factory (1D1F) Programme.
Addressing the gathering at the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo stated that the ceremony was a fulfilment of the promise by the government, in partnership with the private sector, to set up at least one medium to large scale enterprise in every district of Ghana.
According to the President, this factory is the one hundred and seventh (107th) completed and operating under the 1D1F initiative, out of the two hundred and seventy-eight (278) enterprises being established and rehabilitated across the country.
President Akufo-Addo was happy to note that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with Ghana EXIM Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, has since 2017 supported this company to benefit from the 1D1F Programme.
ABOUT THE FACTORY
Out of the total investment for the project, which is estimated at thirty-five million dollars (US$35 million), Ghana Exim Bank provided a credit facility to the tune of ten million dollars ($10 million) for the procurement of plant, equipment, and machinery.
The factory is generating some three hundred and eighty (380) direct jobs and when fully operational, will generate additional direct employment for some four hundred (400) workers.
In addition, the facility is expected to create a total of two thousand, five hundred (2,500) indirect jobs.
TRADES MINISTER
The Trade and Industry Minister, Mr Alan Kyerematen said boosting local production of medicines would wean the country of the over-dependence on imported pharmaceutical products.
With the establishment of the Atlantic Life sciences Limited, as well as other domestic pharmaceutical companies, the Minister believed Ghana had the potential to become the hub of pharmaceutical product on the continent.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atlantic Lifesciences Limited, Mr Dhanajay Tripathi commended the government’s support through the journey to set up the plant.
He mentioned the instrumental roles played by the Food and Drugs Authority, the Ghana Exim Bank, assuring that with continued support, his company would be able to meet its commitment to expand to create more jobs.
NINGO-PRAMPRAM MP
The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, commended the company for such a bold move to set up the plant.
While commending the government for supporting the initiative, he appealed to the President to solve scarcity of water and electricity at the enclave, which is fast becoming an industrial quarter.
President Akufo-Addo in his address took time off his prepared speech to assure the MP that he would act on his request.
