The Minority’s opposition to the laying of the Export and Import Regulations 2023 bill (Restrictions on Importation of Selected Strategic Products) in Parliament, according to Trade and Industry Minister, Kobina Tahir (KT) Hammond, is to serve its political interest.
The Minister says the Minority took the stance not because the bill was bad but rather “in keeping with their preferred political philosophy of triangulation, which is the opportunistic adoption of political positions for situational advantage.”
Although “Article 11 of our Constitution granted me absolute authority, but horror of horrors”, according to Mr. Hammond, made “the opposition party took up arms. They wouldn’t permit me to lay my paper.”
The Adansi Asokwa Member of Parliament, speaking at the launch of the 3rd edition of the Made in Ghana Bazaar at the Accra International Conference Centre, noted that despite the Minority’s opposition to the bill, flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has announced his intentions to introduce the bill should he win the 2024 polls.
The Minority blocked the legislative instrument, which requires importers of 22 restricted items to obtain licenses from a committee established by the Minister of Trade and Industry. But the Minority kicked against all attempts to lay the bill in Parliament.
But according to KT Hammond, John Mahama supports the idea but the NDC MPs are kicking against it for political expediency.
“Just a little while after his party members in opposition had threatened to cause the heavens to fall if my legislative instrument was not withdrawn, the opposition party’s flag bearer and former president, John Dramani Mahama, made a public declaration, a pronouncement that in the very remotest possibility that his party ever won elections again in Ghana, he would introduce the same import restrictions in Parliament.
“What can I say for logic? Opportunism scruples in this opposition party which is bound to remain in opposition.”
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