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The government’s proposed import limitations law on 22 commodities is meant to promote local production and consumption, not to cause food shortages, according to Minister of Trade and Industry Kobina Tahir (KT) Hammond.
KT Hammond presented the government’s plan to ban imports of a number of goods during a press briefing. These products include chicken, vegetable and animal oils, margarine, fruit drinks, soft drinks, mineral water, noodles and pasta, and ceramic tiles.
He made it clear that this policy is not a prohibition but rather a calculated move to increase homegrown manufacturing and lessen dependency on imports.
KT Hammond told the public that the planned limits are intended to encourage local producers to step up and satisfy the nation’s needs, but acknowledging concerns from stakeholders regarding possible food shortages.
He went on to provide further information about the Legislative Instrument on Eyewitness News, stating that it’s possible that the import restrictions won’t go into effect until 2024, giving consumers and companies plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments.
“You know, by its nature, when you put an L.I. before Parliament, it takes 21 days to mature. And so by 21 days, all that traders would want to import, they can import. Because by the time the L.I. kicks in, they would have imported everything. So I am not anxious that it is going to lead to a shortage of anything going to Christmas. Hopefully, it will kick in 2024. But even that, as I said, it is not a ban.”
The Trade Minister urged Ghanaians to support local farmers by supporting this initiative and buying products made in the country.
He added that permissions would need to be obtained before private companies could import things that are prohibited.
“So we are not banning, but it will require some sort of assurance that there is the need for these particular items to be imported in the country, but definitely nothing like banning, but we will be monitoring.”
“The Agric ministry is on board and the committee would want to ascertain how much quantity is it that the country can import. What is the gap between production and consumption and depending on that you would import” K T Hammond added.
The goal of the government’s planned import limitations is to strike a compromise between defending homegrown businesses and guaranteeing a sufficient supply of necessities. The goal of the government’s promotion of domestic production and consumption is to boost the economy and lessen dependency on outside resources.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
