The Minority in Parliament has called on government to withdraw its ban on importation of used electrical appliances to allow for further consultation with relevant stakeholders.
According to the Caucus, the manner in which the Legislative Instrument (LI) was rushed through Parliament without adequate consultation and extensive engagement with the various stakeholders was disturbing.
It noted that if not reviewed, the ban will not only render a vast majority of those who trade in these appliances unemployed but would equally have severe economic consequences on the already impoverished Ghanaian consumer since many depend largely on these appliances.
A statement issued by the Minority and signed by the Ranking Member of the Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament, John Abdulai Jinapor, noted that the best practice would require the government to engage in extensive consultations particularly with the Committee to solicit their views and input on such an important LI before implementation.
Mr. Jinapor noted that more disturbing is the lack of a grace period or transition period before implementation of the policy.
He said, “For such a policy that has far-reaching consequences, it is only proper that some transition period is allowed to give traders and consumers ample time to adjust to the policy, especially this time that the uncertainties in the Ghanaian economy are abound.”
“It must be noted that some of these used electrical appliances can be more energy efficient and durable than new ones depending on the make, brand, and standards.”
The Ranking who is also the member for Yapei/Kusawgu Constituency argued the policy contradicts government’s own position that the country has so much excess capacity.
He stated the current electricity tariff structure is graduated in bands with higher payments for higher electricity consumption that serves as a gentle caution for consumers to acquire energy-efficient appliances whether new or used ones.
According to him, by the present policy, even a returnee Ghanaian is not allowed to come along with his or her 3-month-old electrical appliance, which, by all intents and purposes, could still be as good and useful as a new one adding, “This current policy is not only unfair but discriminatory.”
John Jinapor urged the government to use standards and effective regulatory measures to achieve energy efficiency and prevent dumping rather than this very harsh policy of banning all used electrical appliances.
Government, he said, must therefore be ready to engage, learn from best practices and adopt sustainable regulatory measures to achieve results other than reacting inappropriately to situations.
