Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana has said Exports, not imports, must be Ghanaians mantra.
He said much as Ghanaians believe in free trade, they must support government to work to ensure that the majority of goods in shops and market places are those produce and grow here in Ghana.
Addressing the Nation on the state of the Economy on 30th October 2022, Nana Akufo-Addo said “that is why we have to support our farmers and domestic industries, including those created under the 1-District-1-Factory initiative, to help reduce our dependence on imports, and allow us the opportunity to export more and more of our products, and guarantee a stable currency that will present a high level of predictability for citizens and the business community.”
“To this end, we will review the standards required for imports into the country, prioritise the imports, as well as review the management of our foreign exchange reserves, in relation to imports of products such as rice, poultry, vegetable oil, tooth picks, pasta, fruit juice, bottled water and ceramic tiles, and others which, with intensified government support and that of the banking sector, can be manufactured and produced in sufficient quantities in Ghana. Government will, in May 2023, that is six (6) months from now, review the situation. We must, as a matter of urgent national security, reduce our dependence on imported goods, and enhance our self-reliance, as demanded by our overarching goal of creating a Ghana Beyond Aid.”
Source: Mybrytfmonline/ Kofi Atakora
