KT Hammond
The government yesterday suspended the laying of the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) seeking to restrict the importation of some 22 items.
The L.I. (Import Restriction Bill) sought to compel importers of the restricted items, including poultry, rice, sugar, diapers and animal entrails to seek licences from a committee to be set up by the Minister of Trade and Industry, K. T. Hammond.
However, the Minority in Parliament on three occasions blocked the laying of the L.I. on the grounds that it was dangerous and violated international trade practices.
They also indicated that the L.I. could give too many powers to the minister; a situation which they noted has the propensity to breed corruption.
According to a highly placed source in the government, the decision by the government is that the L.I. will no longer be laid in the immediate, to allow for more consultation.
Also, many business associations and the Trades Union Congress have all spoken against the promulgation of the law, saying there were obvious deficiencies, while the government, led by the Minister of Trade and Industry, K.T. Hammond, and Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, insisted it was in the best interest of the nation.
The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), and other advocacy groups kicked against the passage of the bill which has divided Parliament, and at one time got Speaker Alban Bagbin and Ablekuma West MP, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful into a discomforting standoff.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri