Ghana needs international trade commission – TAB Chairman

Mr. Tawia Akyea, Chairman of the Tariff Advisory Board (TAB), has stressed the need for Ghana to have an International Trade Commission to assist it to conduct trade within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

He stated this at a consultative stakeholder forum on the Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC) Bill at Takoradi.

The TAB and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) organized the forum.

Mr. Akyea said the GITC could re-arrange the country’s tariff regimen to fall in line with the rules of the WTC and ensure that the country benefits from international trade.

He said Ghana is a signatory to the WTO agreement and therefore obliged to operate within the rules of the organization.

Mr. Akyea said the TAB, which is an administrative body that advises the Minister of Trade and Industry on tariffs matters had completed a draft GIFC Bill.

He said the bill would be put before Parliament after Cabinet had approved it.

Mr. Akyea said the GITC would replace the TAB after the passage of the bill into law to handle WTO issues.

Mr. Elvis Kofi Amenyah, Director of the Legal Division of MOTI, who spoke on Trade Contingency Measures, said the GITC would have legal status when it comes into being.

Mr. Amenyah said the Commission could receive and adjudicate in trade matters and people who were not happy with its decisions in trade disputes could take their cases to the law courts.

He said the Commission could impose anti-dumping duties up to five years and after it could take the country involved in the practice to the WTO.

Source: GNA