AGI partners GUTA to boost local production, reduce imports

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is looking forward to a partnership with the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) in a move that is believed will boost local production as well halt importation of some goods that are already on the Ghanaian market.

The two institutions are of the view that some products like cement, steel, iron rods, pharmaceuticals and others that are produce locally in adequate capacity do not need any foreign competition on the market, hence the need for the partnership.

President of AGI, Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi brought this to light in an interview with the B&FT during the Tema Regional Annual General Meeting and AGI Energy Service Centre road show and election of executive members of the region, indicated that the situation is a major challenge.

Importation of the above mentioned products are not doing the local manufacturers any good and government must intervene to ensure that local industries are giving the opportunity to grow, he noted.

“The challenging situation which is happening now is, there are some industries in Ghana that have enough capacity to produce and even export items like cement, but there are lots of cement that are being imported which is definitely affecting the local industry. We have enough capacity to produce lots of products like steel, iron roads, and pharmaceuticals, why do we need to import those products.

“More of the products that are coming to Ghana get in through unapproved boarders, which are affecting our markets and as an association, they will continue to work to do things that will be of benefit to members in Ghana,” he lamented.

Currently the AGI and GUTA have submitted the lists of companies that have big capacities to produce certain products to the ministries of Trade and Finance, adding that when companies are given the opportunity to produce and stop the importation into Ghana, it will actually help the local companies to grow and therefore increase their tax that they pay to government.

“So for the interest of Ghana and the interest of Ghanaian, we are saying that local companies should be given the opportunity to expand, by actually helping local companies in terms of manufacturing,” he indicated.