The Minority in Parliament lamented that the Legislative Instrument seeking to restrict the importation of selected strategic goods into the country is an outmoded licensing regime by the government without the notice of their members.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, November 23, the Minority Leader described the regulation as a bad policy that must be withdrawn immediately else, it could breed corruption.
According to him, the World Trade Organization (WTO) frowns on such a policy and when implemented, it has been violated.
He referenced another policy that was outmoded and was not put in practice.
” A similar committee, [Justice Ollennu Committee] which was established in 1967 to identify corruption and malpractices relating to import licenses, adding that the report was clear that the practice was outmoded and it cannot be continued because people use it for the purposes of rent-seeking.”
He fumed that, the policy will rise inflation in the country which will lead to the worsening of the burden of Ghanaians.
“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. The one that Mr Mahama actually constructed, this government is refusing to open it so where is the sugar going to come from?
“What they are seeking to do is to create businesses for their financiers,” he claimed.
He also expressed worry that with the development, traders might not get the license to import products if they do not have ties with the New Patriotic Party.
Below is the list of item restricted from importation:
- Guts, bladders and stomach of animals
- Poultry
- Animal and Vegetable Oil
- Margarine
- Fruit Juices
- Soft Drink
- Mineral Water
- Noodles and Pasta
- Ceramic Tiles
- Corrugated Paper and Paper Board
- Mosquito Coil and Insecticides
- Soaps and Detergents
- Motor Cars
- Iron and Steel
- Cement
- Polymers (Plastics and Plastic Products)
- Fish
- Sugar
- Clothing and Apparel
- Biscuits
- Canned Tomatoes
- Rice
BACKGROUND
On Thursday, November 23, Parliament suspended the laying of the Legislative Instrument seeking to restrict the importation of 22 selected strategic products into the country.
This follows calls by the minority caucus on the Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T Hammond, to further engage the group on concerns surrounding the L.I.
The Minority contends that the regulation is not in the best interest of the country.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, therefore urged the sector minister to deal with concerns relating to the L.I. before it is laid before the house.
