Government poised to improve domestic trade

Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - Government is to establish an International Trade Commission that would investigate unfair trade practices in the country to determine and grant appropriate remedies. The establishment of the proposed Commission, which forms part of a grand scheme of trade reform measures to make Ghanaian products compete effectively with products from the rest of the world, is already at an advanced stage ready for policy approval before the end of the year. Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiatives, announced the proposed reforms at a Council Meeting of the Ghana Employers' Association (GEA) in Accra on Thursday.

He said the reforms would also include a new Consumer Protection Policy with the establishment of a Consumer Protection Authority, and modernization and revamping of standards, quality assurance, accreditation and meteorology infrastructure. The Minister said the enhancement of domestic trade and distribution was one of the priorities of the Ministry. The Ministry has therefore launched the Domestic Trade and Industrial Services Project to address some of the chronic inefficiencies in domestic trade.

Already, the benefits of the trade reform undertaken so far are practically realized in improved service delivery, time for vehicle registration and driver licensing, business registration, passport services and other areas that used to perform very poorly. Other reforms that have already taken place are a National Medium Term Private Sector Development Strategy to provide a level playing for the private sector, and the establishment of a Commercial Court that have reduced delays at handling commercial cases.

"Seventy-five per cent of cases before the commercial courts are settled through mediation and transcripts of judgments are available within 48 hours," the Minister said.

He announced that the Ministry would improve the health and sanitary conditions at 30 markets and 10 garages countrywide as well as the operational environment of over 10,000 traders and artisans before the end of the year. On the major problem of sourcing credit within the private sector, Papa Owusu-Ankomah said: "I intend to call a Summit Meeting of financial institutions and trade and industry associations, including the employers' association to find financing solution that it makes more attractive for key players in the domestic trade and distribution system to trade in Ghanaian products."

Mr Charles Cofie, President of the GEA, appealed to the Minister to throw his weight behind its effort in countering illicit trade and counterfeiting. He further appealed to the Minister to support the private sector to expand its horizon to increase the volume of trade within the West Africa sub-region.

During an open forum, the participants appealed to Government to adopt measures to reduce the time spent in vehicular traffic as a way of improving national productivity.