Kobina Tahir Hammond, also referred to as K. T. Hammond, is the Minister of Trade and Industry. K.T Hammond has expressed her disappointment to the Minority in Parliament over the laying of a Legislative Instrument (L.I) intended to limit the import of specific strategic products.
On Monday, November 27, Mr. Hammond disclosed to Evans Mensah of JoyNews that he and the Minority had come to an agreement on the laying of the L.I., which aimed to restrict the importation of 22 products.
According to Mr. K.T Hammond, the Minority brought up concerns about certain items on the L.I. at a meeting that Dominic Ayine chaired. He asserts that they were satisfied with the suggested adjustments after those worries were addressed.
Mr. Hammond read from the Committee’s report, which stated that the Committee found the draft regulations to be within the bounds of the Constitution.
He claimed to be betrayed and was frustrated by the Minority Leader’s subsequent opposition, characterizing it as “duplicity.”
Mr. K.T Hammond confirmed that he felt like he had been stabbed in the back when questioned.
He admitted that the L.I. had already gone through the parliamentary process and he was not required to pre-lay it in accordance with parliamentary procedure.
He nevertheless made the decision to move forward while voicing his disapproval of the procedure.
In addition, Mr. Hammond stated that he had filed a complaint with the High Court, highlighting the fact that Parliament does not have the authority to make decisions.
In a related development, the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) are among the six business associations that make up the Joint Business Consultative Forum. Together, they have filed a petition asking Parliament to reject the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s proposed bill restricting imports.
The associations contend that if the bill is passed, it may negatively affect their companies by affecting prices and interfering with the free movement of goods.
Three times, the Minority has opposed the regulation, claiming that it gives the Minister for Trade undue power.
