An arial view of the Savelugu CUF and TSC
The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Saturday, 7th August 2021 inspected the Savelugu rice processing 1D1F Common User Facility (CUF) and Technology Solution Centre (TSC) as part of his tour to the Northern Region. The two facilities (1D1F CUF and TSC), estimated to cost GH¢7.3 million and GH¢6.04 million respectively, were established by the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The CUF initiative forms part of the general realignment of REP, with funding from African Development Bank (AfDB) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to support the Government’s industrialization agenda including the 1D1F initiative. Under these general realignment initiatives, IFAD and AfDB is support REP to establish the five (5) CUFs, 58 ENABLE Youth factories, and 5 Technology Solution Centres (TSCs).
President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by some ministers of state and the chief of Savelugu Yoo Naa Yakubu Andani Abdulai. They were received and conducted round the two facilities by the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi and National Director of REP, Kwasi Attah-Antwi.
The Savelugu 1D1F rice CUF
The Common User Facility (CUF) is a state-of-the-art agro-industrial factory established by REP in line with the Ghana Government’s flagship 1D1F Initiative.
The Savelugu 1D1F rice processing CUF is a rice processing facility that can produce between 1.5 and 2.8 tonnes of processed rice per hour. The equipment installed at the factory include modern parboiling, milling and packaging plants. It has a mechanised borehole to supply water to the facility and a standby generator plant. It also has a fully furnished office accommodation for staff, a conference room, laboratory and a canteen/kitchen.
National Director of REP, Kwasi Attah-Antwi, informed President Akufo-Addo that the Savelugu CUF was expected to employ about 118 people including management professionals, factory floor workers and plantation workers who will work on a nucleus rice farm. In addition, over 600 farmers from Savelugu Municipality and neighbouring communities will be directly engaged to supply paddy rice for processing.
The four (4) additional CUFs are located in the following areas: Nkran Nkwanta in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region (rice processing); Akontombra in the Sefwi Akontombra District of the Western North Region (rice processing); Dompim in the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality of the Western Region (Oil Palm processing); and in Nsuta in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region (Maize processing).
Savelugu Technology Solution Centre
President Akufo-Addo also inspected the Savelugu Technology Solution Centre (TSC), adjacent to the Savelugu CUF.
The Savelugu TSC is one of five (5) TSCs being established by REP with funding from the African Development Bank. The other four (4) are located in Kumawu, in the Ashanti Region; Hohoe in the Volta Region; Elmina in the Central Region; and Dormaa Ahenkro in the Bono Region.
The five new TSCs are an upgraded version of and an addition to the original 26 Rural Technology Facilities (RTFs) established by REP across the country in collaboration with GRATIS and the host District Assemblies.
The TSCs are set up to support the Government’s Industrialization Agenda, particularly the 1D1F initiative. Their core functions include the production of spare parts and repair services for district factories and the oil & gas industry; and the manufacturing of agro-processing equipment. They also provide training for human resource capacity building.
To enhance the increased number of trainees, hostels facilities have been provided for both males and females at five of the older TSCs; and to admit trainees from within and outside the districts/municipalities they are located.
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