Trade Minister Accuses Minority Of Betrayal Over Import Restrictions Bill

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond, has expressed his feeling of betrayal by the Minority in Parliament regarding the Legislative Instrument (L.I) aimed at restricting the import of specific strategic products.

In an interview with JoyNews on Monday, November 27, Hammond revealed that a consensus had been reached with the Minority for the laying of the L.I, but complications arose.

“In that meeting chaired by Dominic Ayine, I tell you today, they [the Subsidiary Committee] added bits and pieces… their concern was on some items put on the L.I.@

“The conclusion was that subject to these suggestions they have raised, they were quite happy,” he explained.

Hammond emphasized that the committee’s report indicated that it had no reason to believe that the two draft regulations were not within the ambit of the parameters set under Article 11 Clause 7 of the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Expressing his frustration, Hammond accused the Minority Leader of ‘duplicity’ for opposing the legislation after the agreed-upon consensus.

He felt betrayed, stating, “You get upset and at the end of the day, you think they are stabbing you in the back.”

Regarding the unconventional process of laying the L.I before the House, K.T. Hammond argued that he was not supposed to do so, but he opted to follow through despite his reservations.

He mentioned that the Minister has prepared a document seeking redress in the High Court.

Meanwhile, Business associations in the country including GUTA, FABAG, Importers and Exporters Association, GIFF, CADEG, and GNCCI, submitted a petition to Parliament urging the rejection of the import restrictions bill.

The Joint Business Consultative Forum argued that the proposed legislation could have detrimental effects on their businesses, impacting prices, disrupting the free flow of goods, and potentially causing harm.