President Nana Akufo-Akufo Addo has identified industrialisation as the most effective way of creating high-paying jobs for unemployed Ghanaians.

“Unless we industrialise with the goal of adding sufficient value to our primary products, we cannot create the necessary numbers of high-paying jobs that will enhance the living standards of the mass of our people,” he said during the launch of government’s one-district, one-factory project at Ekumfi in the Central Region on Friday, August 25.

Mr Akufo-Addo who was speaking during the launch of the first factory, a pineapple processing factory, emphasised that: “Raw material producing economies do not create prosperity for the masses.”

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to support government’s vision of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive to boost the economy and develop the country.

The launch of the programme is in fulfilment of a pledge by Mr Akufo-Addo to see the actualisation of the industrialisation of Ghana as part of the transformation process he envisages for the country.

According to government, the programme will create an environment conducive for each local government to own factories relative to their well-endowed resources and capacity to provide jobs and wealth for the country.

Nana Akufo-Addo cut the sod to begin the construction of the Ekumfi Fruit Processing Company factory, which will process pineapples for the local and international market. Currently, the company cultivates the fruits, and seeks to expand its operations into processing.