Former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has called on parliament to reconsider and promptly approve the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) that seeks to restrict food imports into the country.

He specifically emphasizes the need for lawmakers to review the L.I. introduced by the Minister of Trade and Industry, K. T. Hammond, which aimed to limit 22 items, including 12 food products but was initially rejected.

Dr. Afriyie Akoto asserts that Parliament should prioritize safeguarding local farmers and industries by acknowledging the importance of the Legislative Instrument.

He points out that the absence of such an instrument negatively affects local farmers, particularly those involved in poultry, rice, and palm oil production.

Highlighting ongoing farmer protests in parts of Europe, particularly in France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, where farmers are expressing dissatisfaction with their governments over rising fertilizer prices and declining farm incomes, Dr. Afriyie Akoto urged Parliament to promptly take action to protect the interests of local farmers.

These remarks were made by Dr. Afriyie Akoto during his public address on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, where he served as the Distinguished Guest Speaker at the launch of the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).