The Minority in Parliament is calling on the government to swiftly retract the legislation that imposes restrictions on the importation of rice, fruit juice, margarine, cement, fish, sugar, and 16 other designated "strategic products."

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The Trade Minister, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has presented a bill in parliament seeking to ban the sale of specific products with the aim of supporting local industry.

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As per the proposed regulation, individuals seeking to import the specified products must obtain approval from the Trade Minister.

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Despite the intended goal of boosting local industry, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson has criticized the regulation, deeming it a detrimental policy that requires immediate repeal.

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“We are urging the President to have a rethink because this is not a policy that we should encourage and they have to withdraw it,” he said.

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He said that this kind of policy is not supported by the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is obviously against WTO procedures, he said.

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In his view, the government cannot impose import restrictions on goods in situations where readily available alternatives exist.

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“If they had created domestic production for some of these items, I would have no issue. But clearly, we know they want to restrict sugar but we do not have a sugar processing plant. The one that Mr Mahama actually constructed, this government is refusing to open it so where is the sugar going to come from?

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“What they are seeking to do is to create businesses for their financiers,” he claimed.

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Additionally, he raised concerns that merchants who do not have connections to the New Patriotic Party might not be granted permission to import goods as a result of the development.

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Below are the list of 22 items considered for import restriction:

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RiceGuts, bladders and stomachs of animalsPoultryAnimal and Vegetable OilMargarineFruit JuicesSoft DrinkMineral WaterNoodles and PastaCeramic TilesCorrugated Paper and Paper BoardMosquito Coil and InsecticidesSoaps and DetergentsMotor CarsIron and SteelCementPolymers (Plastics and Plastic Products)FishSugarClothing and ApparelBiscuitsCanned Tomatoes

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