Former Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Baba Jamal, criticized Trade and Industry Minister KT Hammond‘s initiative to regulate cement prices, portraying it as evidence of the Akufo-Addo government’s indifference towards Ghanaians.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, Jamal argued that the decision to proceed with drafting a legislative instrument, despite cabinet discussions where he advocated its withdrawal, exemplified governmental neglect.
According to Jamal, the legislative process requires cabinet approval, highlighting what he perceives as the NPP’s disregard for public welfare.
He suggested that such regulations could exacerbate shortages if manufacturers respond by curtailing production.
Instead, Jamal urged the government to address the underlying causes of rising cement prices and consider measures to support manufacturers facing increased production costs.
“You cannot lay any legislative instrument without it going to cabinet and that is why the whole NPP machinery is wicked towards Ghanaians. Because it can easily create shortages because manufacturers will simply stop producing and so it is important for the government to rather look at the factors causing cement prices to rise.
“What occasioned the price hikes should be looked at and what can possibly be done to cushion cement manufacturers and this is what the government must be thinking about because how do you want someone to produce at a higher cost and sell at a lower price?”
The former Akwatia MP further urged the government to withdraw the LI to avert any future physical objections.
“I will advise the government to withdraw this LI and this must be taken seriously because what is happening in Kenya is serving as an eyeopener to a lot of countries and we don’t want what happened in Kenya to happen in Ghana, so the LI must be withdrawn.”