The President of Trader’s Advocacy Group Ghana, Kwadwo Amoateng, has blamed the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) for the country's inability to produce enough goods for the local economy.

Mr Amoateng on Adom FM’s Burning Issues urged Ghanaians not to blame importers over the increment of prices as they have even given Axim Bank’s money to the AGI to operate.

He said sometimes the Group has the impression that the AGI wants to diminish the strength of the local industry.

The President said his outfit has on several occasions suggested that the government should promote the growth of the local rice instead of importing it.

"It would be convivial if the AGI has the capacity to produce but must not blame importers if the product gets out of stock. Sometimes I wonder if the AGI wants to diminish the strength of the importers or what.

"If they can work hard to produce enough goods for the local economy, we thank God, but Ghanaians should not blame us if goods become scarce," he fumed.

Mr Amoateng further urged those who would not be affected by the reversal of the 50% benchmark not to impose more prices on such selected items.

He disclosed that the trader advocacy group is not ready to embark on any demonstration as it will go against them.

He, however, noted that they intend to impose more prices on goods if the benchmark is reversed.

“I am pleading with those who will not be affected with the reversal of the 50% benchmark value not add anything to the original prices of their goods. We are not embarking on any demonstration or shut down our shops; if we do, these politicians will visit the malls to buy whatever they want.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of the Association of Ghana Industry, Seth Twum Akwaboa, said the importers demand more goods quickly, making it impossible to produce and meet their demands.

“We have a long run and a short run; with the long run, we would have to expand your business with equipment to to produce more goods. But if you order for many goods but give me a short period to produce all these goods, I don’t think it would be possible," he explained.

The government, since 2021, has announced its intention of reversing the 50% benchmark values imposed on some 43 selected items.

 Various trading group, upon hearing this, has been agitating with the claim that the reversal of the 50% benchmark values would cause a spike in some items.