The Executive Chairman of the Food and Beverages Association has expressed his disappointment in the Trade Minister, Kobina Tahir Hammond’s Legislative Instrument (L.I) which seeks to restrict the importation of strategic products.

According to John Awuni, restricting imports would lead to a ‘monopoly’ and price hike of local goods in the country.

“Already the demand for local goods is low. For instance, electrical cables produced in this country – Tema- have a price three times as compared to some of the cables that come from Europe…You haven’t given monopoly yet to such a person yet their prices are high, how much more when they are given monopoly?” he asked.

The Minister for Trade and Industry is seeking to get Parliament pass an (L.I) to restrict the importation of some strategic products.

The 22 items considered for import restrictions are:

1. Rice
2. Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (offal)
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

But in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, November 28, Mr Awuni protested the L.I. According to him, a similar L.I was introduced some years back which did not yield positive results.

Also read: https://www.myjoyonline.com/dont-pass-import-restrictions-bill-guta-5-other-groups-petition-parliament/

“For me, professionally, it is very disappointing because we are going back to the 1960s. These restrictions were imposed in the Nkrumah regime and many ministers fell victim to corruption and rent-seeking…,” he said.

He also noted that introducing such restrictions in a ‘labourised economy’ is not the right way to go, adding that it might go a long way to affect voters’ choices in the upcoming election.

Mr Awuni said he expects Parliament to invite the Food and Beverage Association so as to have their input in the L.I and also to discuss means to boost patronage of local goods.

Also read: https://www.myjoyonline.com/speaker-clears-way-for-laying-of-import-restriction-l-i-on-thursday/

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has given the go-ahead for the L.I to be laid before the House on Thursday, November 30.