The President of the Peasant Farmers Association, Dr. Charles Nyaaba, has supported the Legislative Instrument (L.I) to restrict the importation of rice, fruit juice and 20 other 'strategic products'.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s MiddayNews on Friday, November 24, he called on the Minority in Parliament to allow its passage.
“As a country, we need to take very strong decisions to ensure our local industry thrives. We cannot continue to depend on others for food that we can produce here … So for us, we still appeal to the Minority to think about it again and allow this L.I to pass,” he pleaded.
This follows the Minority's blockade of the L.I that seeks to restrict the importation of rice, fruit juice and 20 other 'strategic products' unless permission is granted by the Trades Minister, K.T Hammond.
The Minority Leader on Thursday described the regulation as a bad policy that must be withdrawn immediately.
“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 entreated.
But Dr. Nyaaba said despite the fact that "in the short term, their [Minority's] mind is on small shortage, in the medium term, we can produce enough for our own consumption and even export."
He explained that the passing of the L.I will compel government to increase investment in the agriculture sector to attract investors. This, he added will also attract farmers to increase productivity.
According to him, the L.I is nothing new since countries such as Nigeria, Japan have implemented it.
“If you go to countries where we have been importing these commodities – Thailand, Japan, Russia, they have subsidised their farmers, they ensure that they put in restrictions that prevent other countries from sending the same unfinished product there. So if we allow them to process and dump them on us, at what stage in our economy can we become self-dependent?” he queried.
Latest Stories
-
NEIP unveils ambitious Bawumia agenda for youth
9 mins -
Bawumia’s humility, integrity will secure NPP 100% votes- Amoma chief
10 mins -
My immediate interest in politics was inspired by Mahama Ayariga – Joyce Bawah Mogtari
18 mins -
Madina independent candidate remanded over impersonation
27 mins -
Afenyo-Markin: Bagbin’s ruling oversteps Supreme Court authority
30 mins -
Speaking truth to power; how private sector’s outspokenness led to government disengagement
31 mins -
Minority to boycott Parliament until Supreme Court ruling on vacant seats – Afenyo-Markin
49 mins -
Private sector’s high hopes shattered by NPP administration’s failure to deliver – Nana Osei Bonsu
53 mins -
Asiedu Nketiah urges Ghanaians to vote for NDC, irrespective of party affiliations
60 mins -
‘Speaker’s declaration of vacant seats sets a dangerous precedent’ – Kwaku Azar
1 hour -
Election 2024: Ghana to strengthen peace, stability – Akufo-Addo assures
1 hour -
Obuasi SHTS wins 2024 Stemnnovation competition
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo gov’t has outperformed NDC in Zongo communities – Ben Abdallah Banda
1 hour -
Ghana’s industrial sector sees mixed performances in second quarter
1 hour -
Journalists urged to avoid victim-blaming narratives in road crash coverage
1 hour