B5 Plus Chairman Mukesh Thakwani has called on the government to ban the importation of products that can be manufactured in Ghana, arguing that stronger support for local industry could create jobs, boost exports and reduce spending on imported goods.
Speaking during a media engagement with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Thakwani said domestic production capacity remained underused while competing products continued to enter the Ghanaian market.
He cited industry capacity utilisation of below 50 per cent and said manufacturers had the potential to increase output and serve both Ghana and neighbouring markets.
“So we are not only producing the goods for Ghana but also for the West African market,” he said.
Mr Thakwani urged the government to review the continued importation of products that local businesses can manufacture and raised concerns about exemptions granted to some competing imports.
He also questioned the tax treatment of certain imported goods, saying local manufacturers needed stronger support. He did not identify specific importers or provide a list of products that should be subject to the proposed restrictions.
He argued that supporting local production could help Ghana conserve foreign exchange while creating more employment and strengthening the country’s industrial base.
Mr Thakwani also highlighted B5 Plus’s investment in prefabrication capacity, saying the company’s products had the potential to compete on international markets. He cited ISO certification and the Kaizen approach to continuous improvement as part of the company’s commitment to quality.
His comments came alongside his acknowledgement of the GRA’s recognition of B5 Plus for its tax compliance.
“We accept this recognition with humility and it encourages us to work even harder and contribute even more to the development and prosperity of our country,” he said.
Mr Thakwani said B5 Plus remained committed to responsible corporate citizenship, good governance, continued investment, job creation and meeting its tax obligations.
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