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Members of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament were addressed by a Joint Business Forum, which includes importers of rice, cars, and freight forwarders, among other businesses, to voice opposition to the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) that aims to limit the entry of approximately 22 specific items into the nation.
The Forum asserts that the implementation of the Instrument in its current form will have an impact on their businesses and emphasizes that, in lieu of placing restrictions on the chosen items, the Forum would even prefer to outright ban them.
The Forum is made up Ghana Union of Traders Association, Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association, Ashanti Business Owners Association, Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Vehicle and Asset Dealers of Ghana, Tema Car Dealers Association of Ghana, Chamber of Automobile Dealership Association and Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana have already petitioned Parliament about the implementation of the Legislative Instrument.
The President of the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng noted that businesses would collapse, and there would be an increase in unemployment. He was of the view that the current form of the L.I would be an avenue for corruption when implemented.
Interacting with the Businessmen, the Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, Hon. Dominic Ayine noted that all the information provided by the aggrieved dealers would be presented to the House before the instrument is laid.
For his part, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim South, Hon. Kwaku Asante Boateng, applauded the businessmen for petitioning Parliament on what they believed could collapse their businesses. He appealed to the Forum to prepare and present a detailed proposal on the L. I to the Government for consideration.
The Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. K. T. Hammond tried to lay the instrument twice on different occasions but it all failed due to numbers and also the fact that Members were not in support of the L. I in its current form.
The selected 22 items include rice, motorcars, iron and steel, sugar, clothing and apparel, biscuit, mineral water, noodles, ceramic tiles, and poultry.
Some of the MPs on the Subsidiary Committee that interacted with the Forum were Hon. Mintah Akandoh Kwabena, MP for Juaboso ,Hon. Dr.Sabastian Sandare,MP for Daffiama/Bussie/Issa, Hon. Issifu Seidu,MP for Nalerigu/Gambaga ,Hon. Sulemana Yusif MP for Bole/Bamboi, Hon. Avoka Cletus Apul, PM for Zebilla, Hon. Theresa Lardi Awuni, MP for Okaikwei North, Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah Kingsley, MP for Tema West among others.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
