The Peoples’ National Convention (PNC) has extolled government’s intention to pass an Import Restrictions Bill to control the importation of certain strategic products into the country.
The bill, which has already encountered three setbacks for its laying in Parliament, if passed, will affect the importation of 22 products into the country, including rice, sugar, chicken, tripe (yamuade3) amongst other products.
Apart from some six business groups who have kicked against the move for saying it will adversely affect their businesses, the Minority in Parliament has said the initiative will breed inflation and favouritism as the sector minister will be issuing licenses to only persons aligned to the government as the Legislative Instrument says.
Meanwhile, a statement from the PNC signed by its General Secretary, Janet Asana Nablah Wednesday, November 29, 2023, says the policy should be given a national discourse rather than the current divisive tangent it has taken between the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress.
The statement notes that some countries in Africa and Asia have taken similar stance on importation and has helped them develop in so many spheres.
The PNC wants Ghana to emulate to help cure the teeming unemployment in the country.
“The ongoing disagreements between the two major political parties only serve to impede progress, while the Ghanaian youth suffer the consequences. Without drastic measures, job opportunities will remain a mirage for our youth whether it is PNC, NPP or NDC that is in power,” the statement indicated in some parts.
Find below the full statement:
PNC SUPPORTS THE PROPOSED IMPORTATION RESTRICTION POLICY TO CREATE JOBS FOR GHANAIANS
The Peoples’ National Convention (PNC) applauds the government’s intention to lay down a CI mandate in Parliament aimed at restricting the importation of certain products into the country. We firmly believe that this policy should be treated as a national issue rather than a divisive matter between the NPP and NDC.
The ongoing disagreements between the two major political parties only serve to impede progress, while the Ghanaian youth suffer the consequences. Without drastic measures, job opportunities will remain a mirage for our youth whether it is PNC, NPP or NDC that is in power.
Countries like India and Nigeria have successfully taken bold decisions to limit imports, enabling them to provide employment for their young population. We firmly believe that no nation can develop by relying on imported goods for survival.
However, we anticipate opposition from individuals who benefit from these importers or who have personal stakes in importation.
Some politicians and prominent figures may use every available platform, including the media, to speak out against this policy for their own benefit.
We urge the government to be transparent about the current level of local production and how the allocated percentage for importers will be utilized to dispel any doubts.
We again commend that, it is imperative for the government to create a preexisting market for grain farmers similar to what exists for cocoa producers, in order to encourage more young people to engage in farming. Govevenment should make it mandatory for both the school feeding program and the Free Free Senior Schools (SHS) schools to eat locally produced food this will end up boosting our local production.
The PNC calls on civil society organizations, the Ghanaian youth, religious bodies, and freedom fighters who advocate for the welfare of the youth to exert pressure on Parliament to pass the CI. Parliament must remember the youth who lined up at polling stations to vote for them and prioritize their interests.
We must be willing to endure some hardship for the greater benefit. Unless decisive actions are taken, there will be limited job prospects for our young generation. When Japan initially began manufacturing, its citizens had limited choices but persevered through their mistakes, resulting in significant improvements.
A PNC government in the future will go even further by completely banning the importation of all products that can be produced locally to prioritize job creation for our motivated and aspiring youth.
READ ALSO: PNC petitions CID to arrest its 2020 flag bearer for allegedly stealing party’s Land Cruiser
