The Minority in Parliament has expressed relief after the government’s announcement to put the brakes on the proposed import restrictions bill targeted at 22 items including poultry, rice, sugar, diapers, and animal entrails among others.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has consistently argued that these regulations could foster corruption, citing concerns about their arbitrary nature and the concentration of discretionary power in the hands of the Minister of Trade and Industry.
The government announced the suspension of the laying of the proposed regulations on the Restriction of Imports of Selected Strategic Products, 2023, on Friday following strong objections from the Legislative Instrument (L.I.)
Minority leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, in a statement, welcomed the announcement, saying, “By vesting too much unfettered and unchecked power in the Minister to determine who qualifies or not to be granted a permit to import, the regulations lend themselves to abuse of power, state capture, and rent-seeking conduct reminiscent of the days of ‘essential commodities’ and ‘price control’.”
Various stakeholders, including the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, the Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana, and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aligned with the Minority in opposing these import restrictions.
The Minority leader clarified that they are not against measures to protect indigenous businesses through import regulations. However, they strongly opposed a law that grants unchecked discretionary power to a single individual, fearing it could lead to abuse.
Critics have also pointed out the contradiction in the government’s move, as it seemed to defy the commitments made in Ghana’s current IMF program, which includes a quantitative performance criterion against imposing or intensifying import restrictions bill for balance of payment reasons.
At a time when Ghanaians are grappling with economic challenges and numerous taxes, the introduction of import restrictions is seen as potentially exacerbating inflation and hoarding.
Ato Forson expressed satisfaction that the government has abandoned the regulations following stiff resistance and opposition in Parliament.
He reassured the Ghanaian people and the business community that the Minority would always prioritize their interests, echoing the slogan ‘Ghana First.’
This development marks a significant victory for the Minority and various stakeholders who stood against what they perceived as a potential threat to fair trade practices and economic stability in the country.