A consensus was reached between government and the Minority over the laying of a Legislative Instrument (L.I) to restrict the importation of some strategic products into the country, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has noted.
The Trade and Industry minister says the Minority’s rejection of the L.I when it was to be laid in the House therefore comes to him as a surprise, describing it as a stab in the back.
According to Mr. Hammond, the only reservations the Minority had on the L.I was some items that were listed among the products, and not the Instrument itself.
“In that meeting chaired by Dominic Ayine, I tell you today, they [the Subsidiary Committee] added bits and pieces… their concern was on some items put on the L.I. The conclusion was that, subject to these suggestions they have raised, they were quite happy,” he told Accra-based JoyNews Monday, November 27, 2023.
“It had no reason to believe that the two draft regulations were not within the ambit of the parameters set under Article 11 Clause 7 of the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament,” portions of the Committee report he quoted indicated.
He described the Minority Leader’s opposition to the L.I as a ‘duplicity’ following the consensus reached as quoted above, before presenting the law in Parliament.
“You get upset and at the end of the day, you think they are stabbing you in the back,” he added.
When asked if he believed he has been stabbed in the back indeed, his response was in the affirmative.
The lawmaker agreed to go by the flow which he says didn’t make sense in its entirety, considering the fact that the L.I was made on a substantive Act that has been through Parliament.
Meanwhile, some six (6) business associations have opposed the L.I.
Under an umbrella name, Joint Business Consultative Forum, the groups include the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana (CADEG), and Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI).
In all, 22 products would be restricted if the LI is passed. The Minority in Parliament had said Friday, November 24, 2023, that the policy will favour a section of the public who are sympathetic to the NPP, making them oppose it when it was being laid.
The group, in their petition is asking the Legislature to reject the bill since its passage will adversely affect the prices of goods, the free flow of goods, and could also cripple businesses.
“We vehemently oppose this LI and would appreciate its immediate rejection by Parliament to allow for proper consultations and dialogue to take place.
“We strongly oppose this LI on the following grounds: The price of most products mentioned in the Ministry of Trade and Industry policy proposal will result in serious price hikes, as competition will be severely restricted,” portions of the petition stated.
They stressed, “the Minister is the ultimate decision maker on which companies end up trading in each of these items. This will eventually lead to a monopolistic or oligopolistic position for a few select businesses in the country at the expense of many smaller businesses.”
They also expressed fear that the permit system will hinder the flow of goods from other countries.
“The permit system will definitely hinder the flow of goods from exporting countries to receivers in Ghana since importers would no longer be able to rely on market demands to dictate the quantities to be ordered, as companies will be at the whims of the Minister of Trade and Industry.”
“Typically, orders would normally take a minimum of 3 months from purchase date to delivery, assuming there is no bureaucratic involvement in the decision-making process.”
The importation of ‘Yemuadie’ (tripe), rice, diapers, and other products will be restricted if the LI is passed.
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