MPs urged to make laws that enhance export

Ho, Nov 23, GNA - Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister on Saturday urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to make laws that would enhance the performance of Ghanaian firms on the export market.

This was contained in a speech read for him at a three-day capacity building workshop for the Parliamentary Select Committee on "Moving Ghana's Trade Policy Forward: The Next Step."

He observed that Ghanaian firms deserved an open and fair environment and opportunity to enter new markets and compete fairly.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the "world trade environment is influenced by different interests and can be too complex for the ordinary person."

He said it was pertinent to assist the people to benefit from arrangements that might be evolved and added that as representatives of the people they were in a better position to influence the performance of exporters in their constituencies to ensure that "our laws are consistent with the aims and aspirations of other nations with similar interest."

The Minister urged them to take a critical look at the conventions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the various protocols to negotiate for improvements and changes that might be inimical to the people.

Nana Asante Frempong, MP for Kwabre and Chairman of the Select Committee said as MPs a great deal of responsibility had been entrusted to them and were expected to examine proposals from the executive.

He said they had the right to question the rational and basis with a view to making counter proposals where necessary for adoption and implementation by the executive.

The workshop was sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES).