Don’t go on strike; Trade Ministry appeals to business associations

Business News of Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Source: myjoyonline.com

Spio Garbrah Ekwow Trade

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is appealing to the various business associations in the country to rescind their decision to embark on a joint strike action on Wednesday 4th March, 2015.

Issues relating to high cost of doing business, the energy crisis, the proposed Ghana Conformity Assessment Programmed (G-CAP) and the Advance Shipment Information System (ASHI) have been cited as some of the concerns that have necessitated this action.

The Ministry in a statement said it recognises and appreciates some of the challenges businesses are going through at the moment “but wishes to appeal to the various associations not to aggravate the country’s economic situation by withdrawing their commercial services from customers, suppliers and various business stakeholders who have caused them no harm”.

It said the Ministry of Trade and Industry has already taken steps to address most of their concerns. “The associations are aware of the leadership role MOTI is taking to fight for the reduction of interest rate, to decongest the harbour by reducing the number of operators there, as well as promote Made-in-Ghana goods so as to increase the demand for local production and to strengthen employment.”

The Ministry, according to the statement, has also suspended the implementation of the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme (G-CAP) to allow for deeper consultation with stakeholders.

“At a time when Ghana is making progress in “ease of Doing Business” rankings, as well as “attractiveness to Foreign Investment”, embarking on a strike will give Ghana a negative reputation in international business circles, as the intended strike would affect the various international partners and interlocutors of the business and industry players,” the statement added.

It also said the decision of the business associations to go on strike could be misconstrued to mean a disappointment with the success of the IMF negotiations and an organized effort to undermine the national economy.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has therefore appealed to the various commercial and industry groups to use all available channels of negotiations with relevant government agencies, rather than take actions that will reduce Ghana’s GDP growth, cause unemployment, dislocate various business and industry value chains and worsen Ghana’s economic prospects.