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Trade Minister urges traders
not to increase prices
Tema, Nov. 28, Ghanadot/GNA- The Minister of Trade,
Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI, Mr Joe
Baidoe-Ansah has expressed his concern about reports of
increase in prices of commodities and urged traders to
desist from that.
He said the 2008 budget read in parliament recently did not
touch on price increases of goods and services to warrant
the upward adjustments by traders, which could create
economic hardship for consumers.
The Minister urged both Industrialists and traders not to
take advantage of the Christmas to unduly raise prices of
goods.
The Minister made the remark when he toured the Tema
Community one central market to ascertain the truth in the
reports of the increases.
The traders told him that the factories have increased their
ex-factory prices, thus their action.
He reaffirmed government's determination to encourage the
private sector's participation in business and had created
the enabling environment for investor attraction, and urged
the traders not to abuse the golden opportunity.
The Minister also visited Nestle Ghana Limited where the
Managing Director (MD), Mr Herve Durantiou led him to tour
the various sections of the company to see their operations.
The MD explained that the nationwide power crisis affected
production, but was now picking up.
He said the factory has a maximum annual production of
50,000 metric tones and was currently producing at half
capacity, adding that, their products are for both the local
market and for export, especially to the sub-region.
Mr Durantiou said they have embarked on an expansion
programme of all the sections of the factory at the cost of
GH¢16 million
The Minister, who was accompanied by officials of the
Ministry as well as Mr David Quaye Annang, Tema Metropolitan
Chief Executive, had earlier held a close door meeting with
them.
GNA
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