By Jeremiah Nutsugah
In a bold move aimed at enhancing local industries and safeguarding the Ghanaian economy, Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has presented a bill to parliament proposing restrictions on the importation of various products.
The legislation, which spans a number of items including rice, offals (‘Yemuadie’), margarines, motor cars, soft drinks, and mosquito coils, among others, has caused serious debate in the parliamentary chambers.
Among the focal points of the proposed restrictions, the attention-grabbing inclusion of ‘yemu adie”—comprising stomachs, bladders, and chunks of intestines—highlighted the approximately $164 million expenditure on these imports.
Minister K.T. Hammond clarified that the bill aims to restrict these items, not ban them outright. He underscored that such restrictions intend to create a conducive environment for local producers, foster job opportunities, and encourage the consumption of domestically manufactured goods.
In an interview with Joy News, K.T. Hammond reassured the public that the government would collaborate with stakeholders to ensure a good transition, minimising potential disruptions in the supply chain.
He emphasised the importance of these measures in aligning with past initiatives like Acheampong’s Operation Feed Yourself, aiming to reduce dependence on imported goods.
Minority Debate:
However, the proposed bill has stirred a heated debate between the minority and majority in parliament. Critics, particularly from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), raised concerns about the bill’s procedural aspects, citing the need for more consultations and challenging the way the document was introduced.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa North, James Agalga, presented his argument on the standing Order 48, which states, among others, that the house must have at least two-thirds of members for such an important business to be conducted.
The other argument came from the Deputy Minority Chief Whip and MP for Banda Constituency, Ahmed Ibrahim, who expressed worry that the document was never captured in the Order Paper for both last week and this week but rather smuggled to the House in the form of an addendum.
Addressing journalists on the issue in Parliament last Thursday, the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, said that with Ghana being a member of the World Trade Organisation, the practice was not only “dangerous” but also violated international trade practices.
If approved, the Export and Import (Restrictions on Importation of Selected Strategic Product) Regulations, 2023, will restrict the importation of 22 selected strategic goods into the country.
The minority on November 23 thwarted efforts to lay the LI, urging the Minister for Trade and Industries, KT Hammond, to undertake more consultations with stakeholders.
The bill will now undergo a thorough review and debate in parliament, where lawmakers will assess its potential impact on the economy, trade relations, and consumer welfare.