The government is set to present a Constitutional Instrument (C.I) before Parliament today, Tuesday, 21 November 2023.
The C.I aims to impose restrictions on the importation of selected strategic products into the country.
The move is part of the government's broader strategy to promote and enhance local production.
The targeted items, numbering over 20, include diapers, rice and tripe locally known as “yemuadie.”
During a press briefing in Parliament, the Minister of Trade and Industry, K.T Hammond, highlighted government's commitment to boosting local production.
He justified the import restrictions.
“Stomach of animals, bladder, and the chunk of intestines (yemuadie), the country had to put in an amount of about USD164 million towards the importation of these items,” the Minister noted.
Mr Hammond further emphasised the need for efforts to ensure an adequate supply of rice in the country.
He clarified that the import restrictions were not intended to create a scarcity of food in the country. Instead, he stressed the government's determination to harken back to initiatives like “Operation Feed Yourself,” launched during the Acheampong era.
In addition to the import restrictions, Mr Hammond announced the introduction of the Ghana Standards Authority Regulations 2023.
This initiative aims to streamline the manufacturing of cement, fostering competitive pricing within the industry.