Dr. Joseph Obeng, the President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), has urgently requested that the Energy Commission meet with the executive of the Concerned Second Hand Dealers Association of Ghana to discuss how best to govern the industry.
According to him, any legislation banning electronic appliances might have serious negative effects on how dealers make a living and the economy as a whole, necessitating a rethink.
Dr. Obeng was speaking at a media briefing organized by the Concerned Second Hand Dealers Association of Ghana in Accra.
“Our total engagements with Energy Commission are inconclusive. So we will not accept any ban. The fact that the clothes are second-hand does not make them unwholesome. We call on the government to as a matter of urgency hold a meeting with the Commission and also on parliament not to consider any ban because it employs a lot of people”, he said. “
The Association’s Chair, Daniel Asare, questioned why Ghana wasn’t a normal practice after his organization’s investigations into the sale of secondhand household goods found it to be true.
According to him, the Energy Commission’s main area of concern is regulation, and he has urged the Commission to focus its efforts in that direction.
He added that a ban on the products will further worsen the economic situation of the country.
“Now that there is economic hardship all over the world, why would one say they are taking away jobs that feed millions of people in this country forgetting our contribution to Ghana’s GDP” The Chairperson said.
