Government To Ban Importation Of Tripe, Rice, Poultry And 19 Other "Strategic Products" Soon

• The government is working on a new law that will ban the importation of strategic products, including staples like rice, fruit juices, tripe (yemuadiɛ), fish, cement, and 17 other items
• The Minority is, however, impeding the progress of the proposed regulation, demanding additional consultations
• Trade minister KT Hammond has said the regulation will shape the import landscape and strengthen the local economy

The government is currently in the process of formulating regulations aimed at imposing restrictions on the importation of specific goods categorised as strategic products.

Among the items targeted by this regulatory initiative are staples such as rice, fruit juices, tripe (yemuadiɛ) and 18 other goods.

The regulation to import these products is being championed by trade minister KT Hammond, who believes the legislation is critical to protecting the local economy.

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The minister told journalists that the regulation would also shape the import landscape for key commodities in Ghana.

Ghana imports a huge quantity of goods and the high import duty placed on goods has not helped.

The government's push for these restrictions aligns with broader economic strategies and aims to address issues related to trade imbalances, domestic production, and overall economic stability.

However, the governing is facing opposition from the Minority in parliament.

The Minority MPs feel that an important legislation such as the one being championed by the trade ministry needs further dialogue and consensus-building before it can move forward.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs are calling particularly for the input of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee on the proposed import restrictions.

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Below is the full list of the "strategic products" the import restriction would affect if it comes into force:

1. Animal and Vegetable Oil
2. Biscuits
3. Canned Tomatoes
4. Cement
5. Ceramic Tiles
6. Clothing and Apparel
7. Corrugated Paper and Paper Board
8. Fish
9. Fruit Juices
10. Iron and Steel
11. Margarine
12. Mineral Water
13. Mosquito Coil and Insecticides
14. Motor Cars
15. Noodles and Pasta
16. Polymers (Plastics and Plastic Products)
17. Poultry
18. Rice
19. Soaps and Detergents
20. Soft Drink
21. Sugar
22. Tripe (Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals)

Ghanaian musician begs Akufo-Addo to do something about import duties

In a separate story, YEN.com.gh reported that singer Wendy Shay, in a tweet, begged the president of the Republic of Ghana to address the extreme cost of import duties in the country.

The musician lamented that import duties in the country were too much, especially on vehicles.

Many Ghanaians agreed with her assertion, stating that they have had such experiences when importing goods to Ghana,

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Ghana bans importation of second-hand TV sets, fridges and 17 other electrical appliances

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported in the past that the Energy Commission announced new regulations that ban the importation of 19 electrical appliances deemed substandard.

The regulations came into force on November 2, 2022, however, the Commission said it will allow for a one-year grace period to allow for market adjustment.

The policy, the Commission explained in a statement on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is to prevent the excess energy demand that these second-hand imported electrical appliances put on Ghana.

Source: YEN.com.gh