Traders kick against ban of inland rice importation

Members of the Greater Accra Market Association at the weekend appealed to the President to reconsider the ban on inland importation of rice, which they said is creating a monopoly for foreign importers of the commodity.

Madam Rosemary Laryea, Public Relations Officer of the Association, said the ban has led to harsh economic difficulties facing members, including locked up capital in foreign countries, as well as unpaid loans to the banks.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, she said importation of rice through Tema Harbour, is favouring foreign businessmen at the expense of local entrepreneurs.

She said the ban was too abrupt, which disorganised their business activities.

Madam Laryea said the Association conduct its business legally and, therefore, found it untenable to lump all members for bringing in rice through smuggling and other illegal means.

“There are personnel of the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority at all inland ports and members of the association pay the relevant revenue due the state through the Authority.

“The ban has led to the rise in the prices of the commodity, which is one of the major staple of Ghanaians,” she said.

Madam Laryea, therefore, appealed to the government to lift the ban as a matter of urgency to bring relieve to members.