The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on President Akufo-Addo to promptly withdraw a regulation aimed at limiting the importation of essential products such as rice, fruit juice, margarine, cement, fish, sugar, and 16 other strategic items.
The Trade Minister, Kobina Tahir Hammond, who is advocating for this regulation, believes it will contribute to the appreciation of the cedi and promote the growth of local industries. Under the proposed regulation, individuals seeking to import these selected products will need permission from the Trade Minister.
During a press conference on Wednesday, December 6, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Baah Forson criticized the regulation as a detrimental policy that should be immediately revoked.
He emphasized the urgency of reconsidering this policy, stating, “We strongly urge the President to rethink this decision as it is not a policy that should be encouraged. It must be withdrawn.”
The Minority Leader argued that restricting imports would result in inflation, further burdening Ghanaians. He emphasized that the government cannot limit the importation of goods without readily available substitutes.
“If they had created domestic production for some of these items, I would have no issue. But clearly, we know they want to restrict sugar but we do not have a sugar processing plant,” he said.
He said they are not against any legal line aimed at protecting local businesses but expressed worry that with the development, traders might not get the licence to import products if they do not have ties with the New Patriotic Party.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/ Bernard K Dadzie
