Government have been asked by the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), to scrap duties on all essential commodities imported into the country.
This is as a result of increasing worries about food insecurity, fueled by the persistent drought in northern Ghana and recent actions in Nigeria, where the government has lifted tariffs on key food imports.
Nigeria’s move to introduce a duty-free policy on imported food items is part of its Presidential Accelerated and Stabilization Advancement Plan, aimed at controlling rising food prices. FABAG believes that Ghana should consider a similar strategy.
The Association is pushing for the elimination of duties on crucial staples like rice, maize, and oil.
This step is anticipated to ease the financial pressure on families, boost food availability, and lessen the harmful effects of malnutrition on at-risk communities.
John Awuni, Executive Chairman of FABAG, also urged the government to make this initiative a priority to improve the quality of life for Ghanaians.
“The government should be encouraged to take similar action by removing import duties on essential food items, allowing these goods to be imported, and ensuring they are not re-exported. This will lead to a significant reduction in the prices of essential food items in the market.
“As it stands, the rate at which prices are increasing is unbearable, critically affecting the incomes and lives of people. The cost of living has become very challenging,” he stated.