The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) is not enthused about the Trade and Industry Ministry’s decision to restrict the importation of some selected food products in the country.
Speaking on Info Radio’s Zienyaaye Upper West Region Show, the General Secretary of FABAG, Mr Samuel Aggrey raised concerns about the proposed Legislative Instrument (L.I).
He said FABAG's position is that “We don’t have to restrict food import because is my part of our national security issue and therefore when food becomes scarcity it becomes a problem for the people of the country.”
According to him the draft legislative instrument presented before parliament does not have any plans to grow the local food production sector.
“In that bill that they presented before parliament from the page one to the last page there is nowhere that is indicating that they are going to grow the local sector.
That is where we say we don’t agree because if it’s only about ensuring that the local processes also grow then they will not be the need for us to have increased the port duties that high,” Mr Aggrey added.
He added that enacting a law to restrict imports is a knee-jerk approach which would not grow the industry.
According to him, the government should channel the monies collected at the ports to the local industry to reduce the cost of production.
Mr Aggrey mentioned that the government should develop local capacities to be able to produce enough before considering such a regulation.
He said when local production goes up, import will automatically go down.
The Joint Business Consultative Forum, comprising associations such as 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), argue that the bill if enacted, would have detrimental effects on their businesses.
The petition, dated Sunday, November 26, outlined concerns that the legislation could negatively impact the prices of goods, disrupt the free flow of goods, and potentially harm businesses.
Find full list of 22 items considered for import restriction below:
1. Rice
2. Guts, bladders and stomach of animals
3. Poultry
4. Animal and Vegetable Oil
5. Margarine
6. Fruit Juices
7. Soft Drink
8. Mineral Water
9. Noodles and Pasta
10. Ceramic Tiles
11. Corrugated Paper and Paper Board
12. Mosquito Coil and Insecticides
13. Soaps and Detergents
14. Motor Cars
15. Iron and Steel
16. Cement
17. Polymers (Plastics and Plastic Products)
18. Fish
19. Sugar
20. Clothing and Apparel
21. Biscuits
22. Canned Tomatoes