Source: newsthemegh.com
The government’s proposed Legislative Instrument (LI), which aims to restrict the importation of certain specific commodities into Ghana, has drawn criticism from the clergy, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other interest groups.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on these groups to speak out against the LI.
If the planned LI is approved, importers of about 22 prohibited goods—such as rice, chicken, sugar, diapers, and organs—would have to apply for licenses from a committee that the Minister of Trade and Industry, KT Hammond, will appoint.
However, if the proposed bill that is presently before Parliament is approved, the NDC claims that corruption among those appointed to government positions will result.
The party also contends that the government cannot impose import restrictions since it lacks the domestic capacity to produce locally.
“We also call on the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), traditional authorities, the clergy, and all progressive forces to speak up and join us to reject these unpleasant import restriction regulations, in the supreme interest of Ghana,” Minority Leader in Parliament Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said, addressing journalists and party supporters on Wednesday, December 6 during the party’s “Moment of Truth Series” in Accra.
Dr. Forson urged the government to revoke the regulations right away and increase communication with all relevant parties.
Importers and the business sector have already provided ample evidence of how these laws lack widespread consensus and consultation. Therefore, we demand that the government immediately revoke these regulations and increase communication with all relevant parties.
On November 26, six business associations that would be impacted by the measure imposing import restrictions petitioned Parliament to reject the proposed law.
The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), the Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana (CADEG), and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) are among the organizations that fall under the umbrella name of Joint Business Consultative Forum.
They contended that the LI would seriously harm their companies if it were implemented.