Law prohibiting the export of raw materials to come

General News on Friday, August 2nd, 2019

Source: thechronicle.com.gh

2019-08-02

The government is considering adopting legislation banning the export of all raw materials from the country, announced the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

According to the president, it was not normal for all commodities to be exported without adding value, which does not yield much.

Acknowledging the existence of the law governing the export of raw bauxite, President Akufo-Addo made a point of ensuring that he added manganese and, subsequently, all other raw materials. first.

The declaration was motivated by the praise of the leaders of the western and northwestern regions following the government's decision to set up an aluminum industry in the country, which earned them to be supported. The leaders had invited the president to Jubilee House yesterday to express their concerns.

"We must engage in the transformation of our raw materials. I believe that a law has been pbaded that will ban Ghana's raw bauxite exports within five years. I want to add manganese to that. And when the time comes, we may have a law prohibiting the export of all our raw materials, so we have the transformation and added value here in Ghana, "he said.

President Akufo-Addo felt that it was so that the country could strengthen its industrial capacity and its economic power.

The leaders, led by the Speaker of the House of Heads of the West, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi, urged President Akufo-Addo, as part of their concerns, to settle all arrears of royalties due to district, metropolitan, municipal and traditional leaders. authorities.

Although Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi acknowledged that payments have improved considerably under this government on a quarterly basis, he quickly added: "However, we ask for the payment of the accumulated balance that was due before you took office (the President Akufo-Addo).

The chief also appealed to President Akufo-Addo for a measure of protection and safety of cocoa farmers to enable them to compete with multinationals. He called for a good percentage of light beans for local businesses to secure their future.

During his brief address yesterday at the meeting with the Chiefs, the President welcomed the call. Meanwhile, he welcomed the reorganization of West African Mill Company (WAMCo) and stressed the need to add value to raw materials before export.

"I am very happy when I went to Takoradi to see that WAMCo is getting back on its feet and that it is working well." In fact, it is starting to make money for its shareholders, [of] of which the government is a 40% minority shareholder. It's great to see that it works and that there is now a steady and secure supply of beans … "

Chiefs asked the president to consider building their roads, which, he explained, explained during a visit to the region a few days ago. He reiterated that funds had been obtained, as well as complete designs, adding that construction would begin quickly.

Commenting on the arrears of royalties from MMDCEs and traditional authorities, President Akufo-Addo said that he had used a good part of his mandate to pay the arrears of the previous government.

In the meantime, he promised to make arrangements with the necessary office to ensure that something had been done quickly to settle the arrears.

President Akufo-Addo, before concluding his remarks, urged the chiefs, who complained that the development was neglected in the region, to let their people know that development would take a gradual process.

He highlighted the government's commitment, as he had previously mentioned, to build the headquarters of the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) in Takoradi, as well as other processing plants in the country. oil, investments which, in his opinion, would develop the Region.