By Iddi Yire, GNA
Tema, Oct. 16, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has lauded Dignity DTRT Limited, a leading garment manufacturing and export company at the Tema Free Zones Enclave, describing it as a model for Ghanaian enterprises and a testament to the potential of local investors.
The President made the remarks during a working visit to the company on Thursday October 15, as part of a tour of industrial facilities in the Tema enclave.
Earlier, President Mahama cut the sod for the development of the Afienya Industrial Park and toured factories in the Bright International Industrial Zone and the Tema Free Zones Enclave.
“We are particularly proud of DTRT because it is owned by Ghanaians, and DTRT is an example of what domestic investors can also do.
“We do not roll out the red carpet only for foreign investors. We roll it out also for domestic investors,” the President stated.
President Mahama encouraged Ghanaian entrepreneurs interested in agro-processing, textiles and garments, renewable energy and other sectors to invest, assuring them of Government support to expand their businesses and create jobs.
He commended Madam Salma Salifu, Managing Director of Dignity DTRT Ltd, for her perseverance and determination in building the company.
“I know it has not been easy. I visited her when she had just started this business, and at the time, they were in the Accra factory, employing only about 500 staff,” President Mahama said.
The President recalled that many of the workers were recruited from among Kayayei and trained to acquire employable skills.
He noted that training had been one of the company’s major costs and that support from the Youth Employment Agency had helped to build its workforce.
President Mahama expressed satisfaction with the company’s growth, noting that its workforce had expanded from about 500 employees to more than 6,000, the majority of whom were women.
“From 500 workers at the time to over 6,000 workers now, mostly female. This is what the textiles and garments policy, in alignment with the 24-Hour Economy Policy, is all about,” President Mahama said.
The President said the textiles and garments sector remained one of the most labour-intensive industries and had therefore been incorporated into the Government’s New Economy Programme.
He stated that under the programme, the Government would invest two billion dollars annually in job-rich sectors, including textiles and garments.
According to him, three additional textile factories would be financed next year in partnership with private-sector investors and entrepreneurs such as Dignity DTRT.
President Mahama stressed the need to provide the right incentives for industries to expand and create employment opportunities.
Touching on concerns raised by Free Zones companies over provisions in the new Customs Act, he said the Government would engage stakeholders to address the issues.
He said a meeting involving the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Free Zones Authority would be held next week after the return of the Finance Minister from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings.
President Mahama assured businesses operating in the Free Zones enclaves of Government’s commitment to supporting their growth.
He recalled that during his previous visit to the company, construction had begun on a new factory expected to employ about 5,000 people per shift under a three-shift system.
“By next year, when you are done, I will come back here so that we will commission that factory together,” the President said.
The President said Government would support the company by subsidising training programmes to reduce the cost of preparing workers for the new facility.
Madam Salifu expressed appreciation to the President and Government for their support.
She said the new economic policies introduced by the Government would help create a conducive environment for the company to expand its operations and contribute further to national development.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua ASamoah
Reporter: Iddi Yire