Manasseh Azure Awuni, an Investigative journalist, has dropped some facts about Northshore Apparel GH while debunking claims it was part of the 1D1F projects.
According to Manasseh Azure Awuni, his facts were from the promoters of Northshore Apparel GH.
He disclosed that the project concept, although it was shared with the NPP government through the 1D1F secretariat for support through the Ministry of Trade in 2022, was never funded.
The investigative journalist revealed that the project, at ground-breaking in 2024, had grant funding support from Investing For Employment, a facility of KFW through the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation, a commercial loan facility from ADB PLC, and equity contributions from the promoters.
In a Facebook post, Manasseh Azure wrote, “FACTS ABOUT NORTHSHORE APPAREL GH
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In the ongoing discussion about Northshore Apparel GH, the extent of the Government of Ghana’s involvement and whether it was part of the 1D1F projects, I got the following facts from the promoters of the initiative.
1. The project concept was shared with the NPP government through the 1D1F secretariat for support through the Ministry of Trade in 2022. Though the concept was acknowledged, the project was never funded.
2. The 1D1F had concessionary funding arrangements with commercial banks for 1D1F projects. That support was never extended to Northshore.
3. The project, at ground breaking in 2024, had grant funding support from Investing For Employment, a facility of KFW through the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation, a commercial loan facility from ADB PLC, and equity contributions from the promoters.
4. The commercial loan facility from ADB PLC was not advanced through 1D1F or any concessionary government support programme. It was a purely commercial transaction secured by the promoters, using properties as collateral. The arrangement was the same as collecting a loan to run a fuel business.
5. At the ground breaking/ sodcutting, though an invitation was extended to the government in power, all government functionaries then were distancing themselves from the project, apart from the MCE of Savelugu. The Northern Regional Minister, who was delegated through a letter from Jubilee House to attend, did not show up.
6. In 2025, the project was presented to Ghana EximBank (GEXIM) for consideration. GEXIM, led by Sylvester Mensah, evaluated and increased its scope, paid off ADB PLC, and injected the much-needed funds through its concessionary rates to bring the project to its current completion.
7. This was the first time deliberate state support was made available to Northshore. The YEA, through its Youth In Garment, supported the training of 1,000 beneficiaries, and NYA also supported 1,000 beneficiaries.
These are the facts known to me, and I have yet to see any evidence to the contrary that this project was under the 1D1F project.
The most important consideration here is that the factory provides jobs for thousands, and future administrations will support it in the same way they support other local and international businesses. However, it’s only fair that the facts be presented as they are”.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has described Northshore Apparel as the beginning of efforts to restore northern Ghana to its former industrial glory.
Speaking at the opening of Northshore Apparel at Savelugu in the Northern Region, Mahama stated, “The glorious past of northern industry declined. Today I have a pleasant feeling in my heart because I believe that we’ve planted the first seed that will restore the north to its glorious industrial past, and that’s what North Shore is just about doing”.
He further expressed optimism that the development of industrial hubs in northern Ghana will help reduce the migration of young people from the north to the southern parts.
President Mahama stated, “We believe that at full strength this hub which we have named the North Shore Industrial Hub will be able to provide employment to at least 30,000 young people.
“This is important because it will reduce the north-south migration. When we did the African Peer-Review Mechanism and Ghana was peer-reviewed, one of the things for which we were indicted was the lack of opportunities in the northern parts that was leading to an imbalance of our population.
“So when students leave school and they have no opportunity, they just pick their bags, board a vehicle and go to the south. It puts pressure on social services in the south,” he said.
See the post below:
@ghnow_ Tricycle rides into a car on the Agbogba road
♬ Scorch Ring – Pigeon Tracks
@ghnow_ The deplorable state of Tema Valco Roundabout in to TOR road #GHNow #fyp #FixValcoKponeRoad ♬ original sound – NDCMUSICHQ
