The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Mines and Energy Committee, John Abdulai Jinapor has urged government to withdraw ban on the importation of used electrical appliances.[ads2]
According to him, the decision from the Energy Commission to ban the importation of electrical appliances is unfortunate and must be reviewed immediately.
He believes, the policy if not reviewed, will not only render a vast majority of those who trade in these appliances unemployed, but would equally have severe economic consequences on the already impoverished Ghanaian consumer, since most depend largely on these appliances.
READ: Energy Commission bans importation of 19 electrical appliances and renewal energy products
In a statement, the Yapei/Kusawgu legislator said, “it is important to remind the Energy Commission that best practices will require the Commission to engage in extensive consultations particularly with the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, to solicit their views and input on such an important LI before implementation.
He added that, “Even more disturbing is the lack of a grace period or transition period before implementing this policy. For such a policy that has far-reaching consequences, it is only proper that some transition period is allowed to enable traders and consumers ample time to adjust to the policy, especially this time that the uncertainties in the Ghanaian economy are abound.”
Read his statement below
The decision by the Government of Ghana, acting through the Energy Commission, to ban the importation of all used electrical appliances into the country is most unfortunate and must be reviewed immediately.
This policy if not reviewed, will not only render a vast majority of those who trade in these appliances unemployed, but would equally have severe economic consequences on the already impoverished Ghanaian consumer, since most many depend largely on these appliances.[ads3]
The way and manner in which the Legislative Instrument (LI) was rushed through Parliament without adequate consultation and extensive engagement with the various stakeholders was most unfortunate and appalling.
It is important to remind the Energy Commission that best practices will require the Commission to engage in extensive consultations particularly with the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, to solicit their views and input on such an important LI before implementation.
Even more disturbing is the lack of a grace period or transition period before implementing this policy. For such a policy that has far-reaching consequences, it is only proper that some transition period is allowed to enable traders and consumers ample time to adjust to the policy, especially this time that the uncertainties in the Ghanaian economy are abound.[ads4]
It must be noted that some of these used electrical appliances can be more energy efficient and durable than new ones depending on the make, brand, and standards.
This policy clearly contradicts the Government’s position that the country has so much excess capacity.
For the records, it must be noted that the current electricity tariff structure is graduated in bands with higher payments for higher electricity consumption which serves as a gentle caution for consumers to acquire energy-efficient appliances whether new or used ones.
By this policy, even a returnee Ghanaian is not allowed to come along with his or her 3-month-old electrical appliance, which, by all intends and purposes, could still be as good and useful as a new one. This current policy is not only unfair but discriminatory.
The solution to achieving energy efficiency and preventing DUMPING is to resort to the use of standards and effective regulatory measures rather than this very harsh policy of banning all used electrical appliances.
So, the government must be ready to engage, learn from best practices, and adopt sustainable regulatory measures to achieve results other than reacting inappropriately to situations such as this.
We therefore, call on the Energy Commission and for that matter the government, to as a matter of urgency, withdraw this current policy and allow for further consultation, engagement with the relevant stakeholders and a possible review and adjustments before the implementation of the policy.
Thank you.
-Signed-
Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor
MP-Yapei/Kusawgu Constituency
(Ranking Member, Mines, and Energy Committee)[ads5]
