The Majority in Parliament has expressed its intent to increase its engagements with the Minority caucus to facilitate the refinement of the Import and Export Regulations 2023 for its formal presentation.
The Legislative Instrument (LI) aims to regulate the importation of specific strategic products like rice, poultry, and sugar.
Despite facing opposition from the Minority during the Minister’s attempt to lay it before the House for the second time, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, stated that he is optimistic about reaching a consensus through dialogue for the successful presentation of the LI.
“I will personally get involved. It has been limited to subsidiary legislation and other constitutional bodies. We will also get involved and ensure that we sanitize it. Because we are not doing this with mischief, and because nobody has absolute control over what is good and what is not good… more than 90% of all the amendments proposed came from our side, specifically the Majority Leader.”
Frank Annoh-Dompreh
He further denounced accusations that the Majority side was involved in some sort of ill-motivated attempt.
“So if it’s the case that we are engaging in abetment of crime and therefore on the quiet we are supporting Minister K.T Hammond to do the wrong thing, why would we come out and publicly make amendments?”
Frank Annoh-Dompreh
If approved, the bill will limit the importation of 22 products in the nation. The importation of ‘Yemuadie’ (tripe), rice, diapers, and other products will be restricted if the LI is passed. Tensions escalated during the introduction of the legislative instrument in Parliament, as the Minority strongly opposed it. They contended that the LI if enacted, would favor only a specific faction of the New Patriotic Party members.
Six Business Associations Petition Parliament Over Import And Export LI
Meanwhile, six business associations have voiced their opposition to the Legislative Instrument (LI), urging Parliament to promptly reject it to allow additional consultations on the matter.
The groups under the umbrella name, Joint Business Consultative Forum including the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana (CADEG), and Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) have petitioned Parliament over the bill.
The six business associations, in their petition, contend that the enactment of the L.I. would have detrimental effects on product prices, disrupt the smooth flow of goods, and potentially cripple businesses. Consequently, the groups are urging Parliament to dismiss the proposed bill.
“We vehemently oppose this LI and would appreciate its immediate rejection by Parliament to allow for proper consultations and dialogue to take place.”
“We strongly oppose this LI on the following grounds; the price of most products mentioned in the Ministry of Trade and Industry policy proposal will result in serious price hikes, as competition will be severely restricted.”
Joint Business Consultative Forum
According to the group, the decision would eventually lead to “a monopolistic or oligopolistic position for a few select businesses in the country at the expense of many smaller businesses”.
They also expressed fear that the permit system will hinder the flow of goods from other countries.
“The permit system will hinder the flow of goods from exporting countries to receivers in Ghana since importers would no longer be able to rely on market demands to dictate the quantities to be ordered, as companies will be at the whims of the Minister of Trade and Industry.”
Joint Business Consultative Forum
Furthermore, the group raised concerns over the LI’s contradiction of WTO agreements. The group argued that the passing of the LI could see retaliations from other trading partners as well.
More so, the government was called upon to avert its attention to the principles of the free movement of goods and services of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement as well.
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