The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has announced plans to transition from importation to local manufacturing in support of the government’s 24-hour economy programme.
The Association said the move aimed to boost productivity, create jobs, and increase local consumption of made-in-Ghana goods.
The government has said the initiative would enable businesses and public institutions to operate 24 hours, create sustainable, decent, and well-paying jobs through three eight-hour shifts.
“This is a shift from barons of trade to captains of industry to ensure that we contribute to job creation and drive industrialisation in the country,” said Dr Joseph Obeng, President of GUTA.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Dr Obeng reiterated the Association’s commitment to distributing Ghanaian products, including those from members of the Ghana Association of Industries (AGI).
“We will patronise the goods that are made in Ghana to ensure that we meet local demands and even export,” he pledged.
He stressed that excessive importation was detrimental, adding, “Self-sufficiency should be a national priority.”
Dr. Obeng noted that traders played a vital role in industrialisation by distributing goods to final consumers.
He urged the government to provide targeted support to businesses with a comparative advantage and strengthen the capacities of local manufacturers to drive productivity and job creation.
Dr. Obeng emphasised that the success of the 24-hour economy would depend on ensuring locally manufactured products remained competitive and affordable.
“You cannot overprice the output of your industries,” he said, calling for Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms to ensure uniform pricing and affordability while addressing utility charges that could affect competitiveness,” he said.
President John Dramani Mahama announced during a televised broadcast on Wednesday that the 24-hour economy rollout had begun, outlining several supporting measures.
These include collaboration between the Secretariat, Development Bank Ghana (DBG), and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) to operationalise the financial pillars of the initiative.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and Ghana Publishing Company Limited have commenced 24-hour operations, the President said.
He added that the Police Service was establishing a 24-hour unit to enhance night patrols and leverage technology, supported by nationwide sensitisation, to ensure robust security for workers and businesses.
The Minister for Finance and the Presidential Advisor on the 24-hour economy are also finalising a list of incentives for businesses to join the programme, the President stated.
GNA