The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has shed light on the government’s decision to suspend the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) that sought to restrict the importation of some 22 'strategic' items.

Early on Thursday, December 7, 2023, JoyNews sources confirmed that the Government of Ghana was set to suspend the laying of the controversial L.I.

Highly placed government sources had hinted JoyNews Parliamentary Correspondent, Kwaku Asante of the decision by the government to no longer lay the L.I. in the immediate to allow for more consultation.

Oppong Nkrumah confirmed the claim as true and explained that it was to afford the government the needed space to continue consultation with all stakeholders until an agreement or a compromise is reached.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Maame Esi Thompson, Mr Nkrumah said “First, we think that the economic objectives will work well for our growth and for jobs and our development agenda. Therefore, it is important to get all stakeholders aligned as we go along this process. The idea is to suspend the laying, engage some further, and get some more understanding and participation before we go in.

• Read also: Government suspends controversial L.I. to restrict importation of selected items

“You know it is an L.I., you (are) going to factor in all of these views. Then, when you lay it, it can mature after the necessary 21 days because it is not a bill that would be amended on the floor. So, this would give us the opportunity to complete all of these engagements before any such laying takes place.”

When asked what had prompted the change since the government had been insistent on laying the bill even in the face of promptings by stakeholders who had been calling for such consultations, he explained that there have already been consultations, however, after it was introduced on the floor, they noticed that the Legislators raised concerns.

The Ofoase Ayirebi MP said “Despite all the engagement and the initial assurances when it got onto the floor, I am sure you heard the kind of responses that were generated.

“The views that have been expressed by the Minority were views that they were channelling from other stakeholders to the extent that, all of these views have been expressed on the floor, they were influencing the key part of the L.I. as have been drafted.

“Nonetheless, we are of the view that it is better to get everybody’s alignment before we make any progress on this matter. That is why we are suspending the laying for some continued engagement before we proceed with this agenda,” he added.

Although the Information Minister was not sure when the engagement would end, he said it had begun over a month ago, stressing that the feedback they had received showed that there was a need for further engagement until a terminal point was reached.

He added that the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA), vehicle dealers, and the various organisations that will be impacted by the Legislative Instrument were a part of the talks.

Many business associations and the Trades Union Congress, have all spoken against the promulgation of the law, pointing out what they said were obvious deficiencies, while the government, led by the Trade and Industry Minister, KT Hammond, and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, insisted, it was in the best interest of the nation.

GUTA, GAWU and a good number of advocacy groups kicked against the passage of the bill which so divided parliament and at one time got Speaker Alban Bagbin and Ablekuma West MP, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful into a discomforting standoff.

Find the full list of strategic imports the L.I. targeted 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.