National Chairman of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Nii Allotey Brew Hammond says the recent promise by New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer to build one factory in each of the 216 districts of the country is originally an idea of his party’s founder, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom.

Nii Allotey Brew Hammond says the idea was part of PPP’s agenda for the 2012 elections.

Apart from Dr Nduom, he says, he has also personally talked about the idea “on a number of platforms”.

The PPP National Chairman made this known on TV3’s Midday Live on Monday, June 20. Speaking to presenter Martin Asiedu-Dartey, Mr Hammond expressed surprise that most Ghanaians are hearing it for the first time.

“It has been copied but we are happy that NPP has copied our idea,” he said, pointing out that it is not the first time the largest opposition party is aping the policies of the second largest opposition party.

He cited the election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), recently suggested by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as an idea of Dr Nduom’s.

He said for clarity on who the idea belongs to a debate can be staged between the two politicians to discuss the policy. “This is also an opportunity to debate Dr Nduom and Nana Addo. Both have said ‘One factory, One District’.

“Get to know them and ask them how to fund it.”

Nana Addo’s recent promise given during his five-day tour of the Central Region has stirred controversy with the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) rubbishing it. NDC says Nana Addo gave the promise just for populist votes.