Trade Minister Engages Stakeholders at SMIDO to Amend Law Prohibiting the Importation of Salvage Vehicles.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Hon.
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare on Friday met with the Suame Magazine Industrial
Development Organization (SMIDO) at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The Minister’s engagement was
in line with President Mahama’s promise to remove the law banning the
importation of salvaged vehicles into the country.
The meeting was also intended
to seek views from industry players and assure them of the government’s commitment
to find amicable solutions to the challenges they faced in the automobile
industry.
The amendment of the law will
allow the importation of salvage vehicles into the country on the ground that
it was negatively impacting the artisans in the industry and the transport
business.
In March 2020, Parliament
passed a law prohibiting the importation of salvaged vehicles into Ghana.
The intention behind this
law was to provide incentives for automotive manufacturers and assemblers
registered under the Ghana Manufacturing Development Programme.
However, artisans and
importers argued that the law acts as a hindrance to their businesses.
Addressing the various
associations in the automobile industry within the Suame Magazine enclave, the
minister revealed that she has had engagements with dealers in brand news cars,
secondhand vehicles and assemblers to address their concerns ahead of the
amendment of the law.
The minister assured
SMIDO of government’s commitment to creating an enabling business environment
to support their growth of the automobile industry in Ghana, adding that the
reversal of the law will go a long way to make Ghana’s auto industry a major
hub in the sub region which will contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Mr. Kofi Adu, Chairman of the Suame Magazine spare parts
dealers, stated, “the engagement is refreshing, but we don’t want a situation
where the law is reversed, and duties on salvaged vehicles increased to
discourage us from importing them,” he said.
In addition Mr. Anthony Oppong, Chairman of GUTA in the
Ashanti Region, said, “We are pleased with the decision by the government,
but the government must ensure that the imported vehicles meet certain safety
standards to protect Ghanaians." We have also informed the Minister about the
need to stabilize the local currency against major foreign currencies to
strengthen our businesses." he added.
