MP for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has clarified that the suspension of the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) aiming to restrict the importation of 22 'strategic' items is intended for additional consultation.

The Export and Import L.I. seeks to grant the Trade Minister the exclusive authority to license individuals wishing to import specified items into Ghana.

The list includes essential items like rice, poultry, animal organs, oils, margarine, fruit juice, beverages, ceramic tiles, corrugated paper, mosquito coils, soaps, motor cars, iron and steel, diapers, polymers, fish, sugar, clothing, biscuits, canned tomatoes, and aluminum products.

Appearing on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday, December 8, he mentioned that the consultation aims to incorporate additional perspectives before finalizing the legislation.

“The suspension is based on the fact that we need to consult more, this is a very good step that government is taking and so we think we need to carry along everybody,” Acquah said.

“For such a very important programme, if you have resistance from one or two people, it doesn’t augur well, we need to be together,” he added. “We need everybody on board to make it real, so this is to afford us the opportunity to do some more consultation.”