The General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) is warning of a possible significant increase in the prices of foodstuff if the policy on the proposed import restrictions on 21 items is implemented.
The government is seeking parliament’s approval to restrict the importation of the 21 goods to help reduce the country’s import bill and grow the local manufacturing industry. They include rice, poultry, animal and vegetable oil, margarine, fruit juices, soft drink, mosquito coil and insecticide, soaps and detergents, fish, clothing and apparel and cement.
But GAWU is also worried the development could result in some artificial food shortages on the market.
General Secretary, Edward Kareweh, told Joy Business existing government policies have already undermined production.
“When you were putting in place measures on the back of government-owned policies which have undermined production, then you create a very big situation in the economy.”
“For instance, the discounted benchmark value policy was implemented by the government since 2019. For all these years, it has undermined domestic production. So a year after you used the policy to weaken the capacity of domestic industries to produce, you quickly come back and say I’m going to restrict imports”, he argued.
“When you do that, the likely of prices going up is very high because you have not actually supported the domestic producers to increase their capacity to be able to meet the shortfall that the imports will bring”, he added.
The government's proposed import restrictions are aimed at striking a balance between protecting domestic industries and ensuring an adequate supply of essential goods.
Latest Stories
-
Kudus’ advertising board celebration to debut on EA Sports
2 mins -
Glovo’s operations will end tonight
3 mins -
Mahama dismayed at loss of $190m due to PDS scandal; vows to prosecute culprits
37 mins -
Limited Voter Registration: SHS students threaten to boycott exercise, return to school over registration woes
45 mins -
Government to empower universities to undertake mineral exploration – Bawumia
46 mins -
Improve your system of registration – Majority Leader to EC
55 mins -
E-cedi will be the ultimate weapon in corruption fight – Bawumia
1 hour -
Anti-LGBTQ+ bill lawsuit: Supreme Court should have given a specific date for next hearing – Dafeamekpor
1 hour -
Ghana to become first blockchain-powered government in Africa – Bawumia
1 hour -
GAF advocates for more women to be enlisted into the military
1 hour -
Fifa faces legal threat over congested calendar
1 hour -
Nobody will continue your legacy; not even Bawumia – Akufo-Addo told
1 hour -
Corruption Fight: Blockchain technology to make government data tamper-proof – Dr Bawumian hints
2 hours -
Chancellor’s Cup: KNUST play AAMUSTED in a soccer match to honour Asantehene
2 hours -
Anti-LGBTQ+ bill: AG’s request for live telecast of proceedings is in the right direction – Kweku Paintsil
2 hours