Spare parts dealers at Abossey-Okai have shown anticipation of price reduction on goods after seeing a massive dip in business since March 2020.
This follows President Akufo-Addo’s announcement that the government is working with the appropriate agencies to ascertain the country’s readiness to reopen airports by September 1, 2020.
Following this announcement, there appears to be hope for some spare parts dealers who mostly import from China, Dubai and the United States.
According to the Co-Chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, Clement Boateng, the opening of the borders will see a huge influx of goods which will lead to a reduction in prices.
“This is a welcoming message to the entire business community in Ghana. Regarding cargo, some were coming in during the lockdown, but the opening of the airports will allow us to go there and make our own purchases and that will contribute to the reduction in prices,” he said.
However, another dealer in the same outfit of business, Madam Brenda Morrison believes that the opening of the borders by air will not have much impact on their operations. and will also not affect the prices of goods.
“The only problem is with those who have to travel out to bring their goods; but for me, I have been working with my company in South Korea for over 30 years. We send the payment to them and they ship the product to us,” she said.
Ghana’s main Airport, the Kotoka International Airport, has been closed to international passenger flights since March 22, 2020, although cargo transport is allowed as well as special passenger services such as the evacuation of Ghanaians outside the country.
This was due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus in the country and also forming part of measures by the government to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
However, during President Akufo-Addo’s 15th address to the nation on Sunday, August 16, 2020, he stated that the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Co. Ltd., had been working, with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, to ascertain the country’s readiness to reopen airports.
He stated that the outcome of that exercise would determine whether Ghana’s air space could be reopened commercially by September.
In the midst of this, some groups have also warned the government to tread cautiously as the move could lead to an increase in the country’s COVID-19 cases.
