Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta reopened for overland rice importation

The ban on the importation of rice through the land borders has been reviewed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism have reviewed

A press released copied to Myhjoyonline.com and signed by Acting Director of Communication and Public Affairs of the Trade Ministry, Nana Akrasi Sarpong, it said the borders of Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta will be reopened for the importation of rice with effective August 1.

The government of Ghana is estimated to imports within $200 million and $400 million worth of rice yearly.

Many financial analysts have attributed the quick fall in the cedi to governments heavy import bill which also has an effect on the exchange rate of the United States dollar since the nation imports more than it exports.

Ghanaians patronise a lot of rice especially perfumed rice which is used mostly for events and the preferred choice of rice eaten at home by a lot of Ghanaians.

The demand means that many business people would want to cash in on rice importation and are buying the cereal from all over the world.

For government, it is an opportunity to make more through charging import duties.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry on October 4, 2013, issued a directive that all imports of rice should be done through only Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Takoradi and Tema ports which became from November 1, 2013.

The Trade Minister then, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, explained that the ban was to check the uncontrolled importation of the cereal across the borders and also allow government to gather credible statistics on rice importations.

The directive was to also institute administrative procedures to curb the numerous unfair trade practices like the evasion of import duties and other taxes, under-invoicing, infringement of trademarks and smuggling.

With the lifting of the ban, importers of rice through the entry posts of the KIA, Takoradi, Tema, Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta are therefore requested to comply with the laid down procedures.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Abubakar Ibrahim | Email: [email protected]