Parliament approves ban on importation of firecrackers

Ensure sustenance of Fisheries sub-sector - Saliah 

Accra (Greater Accra) 15 Dec. '99

Parliament on Tuesday adopted the report on the legislative instrument (LI) backing the prohibition of the importation of certain firecrackers and display shells.

The LI, "Export and Import (prohibition of Importation) 1999, confers on the Minister of Trade the power to ban the importation of Firecrackers (knockouts), display shells, artillery shells and ball and canister shells.

It takes effect from Thursday, December 16, 1999.

Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five million cedis or a term of imprisonment not exceeding a year or both.

The LI, which resulted in a heated and lengthy debate, was to give legal effect to an earlier Executive Instrument issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in July.

Mr. George Buadi, (NDC-Amenfi West), said the LI would hurt the business community because it was not properly consulted on the issue.

He appealed to statutory bodies to make consultations with the business community on issues before presenting instruments to the House to prevent unnecessary hardship to business groups and individuals.

Mr Francis Buor, (NPP-Offinso South), said "the ban will take away the fun and enjoyment associated with occasions like Christmas", it is therefore, not fair to ban the importation of the firecrackers without listening to the players involved, he said and called for the withdrawal of the LI.

Mr Modestus Ahiable, (NDC Ketu-North), said the ban on the firecrackers "is not a sheer display of (the) government's power but an act to protect the safety of the public".

The irresponsible use of the firecrackers by some individuals had resulted in the burning of vehicles, houses and sometimes had caused serious injury to people.

Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, NPP Ejisu-Juaben, urged the house to reject the L.I. because "it will create a lot of financial problems for the nation and its citizens".

People had taken loans from the banks to "import these things while the Bank of Ghana had issued out foreign exchange to support the purchase of the firecrackers", he said.

"The principle behind the L.I. may be right but it is ill-timed".

Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, (NPP-Sekondi), said since the L.I. does not infringe on any constitutional provision or the parent law, it should be passed.

Mr J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the house "requires two thirds majority to drop the LI".

The NDC member for Berekum said even by this, enough legal and constitutional reasons should be cited to justify such a decision.

Nana Akufo-Addo, (NPP-Abuakwa), questioned the right of some members to question the ban of the commodities, saying the substance of the matter "is whether to pass the LI or to annul it and not matters embodied in the L.I".

He said the Executive has every right to take and enforce any realistic decision it deems fit to ensure public safety.

Two other reports, one on the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules 1999 C.I 24 and the other on the Appeal Court (Amendment) Rules 1999 C.I 25, were also adopted.

GRi../

Return to top

Accra (Greater Accra) 15 Dec. '99

The Parliamentary Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs has urged the sector Ministry to take appropriate measures to address the problems of the fisheries sub-sector to ensure its sustainability.

The Committee identified a number of constraints facing the sub-sector, one being that the fishing industry is operating under a law that does not adequately promote sustainable management of Ghana's fishery resources.

The call was contained in a report of the committee read by the Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Issaku Saliah, asking the House to adopt the 1997 Annual Report of the Fisheries Commission.

The Committee appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to conclude consultations with stakeholders for the proposed Fisheries Bill to be submitted for parliamentary consideration.

The Committee noted that the motorised canoes, which can travel long distances and make higher catches, have reduced in number due to the high cost of running them.

Fishermen are, therefore, using smaller canoes, which make shorter expeditions and have lower catching capacities.

The Committee, therefore, called on the Fisheries Commission to conduct an in-depth study of the situation and advise the sector ministry accordingly.

The Committee reported that another constraint facing the industry "is the inability of the government to secure fishing rights agreements" with some coastal countries to enable Ghanaian trawlers to fish in their territorial waters.

It said the trawlers, which fish in deep seas, are, therefore, compelled to compete with in-shore vessels, thus depleting the fishery resources in the country's narrowed Continental Shelf.

The Committee noted that the sub-sector does not have enough resources to enable it play its role effectively. It also expressed concern about the delay in releasing

funds for the Fisheries sub-sector capacity-building project expected to enhance the fishing industry.

It mentioned the lack of research vessels to assess the fish stock and conduct other studies to strengthen the fisheries sub-sector, noting, however, that in spite of the constraints facing the sub-sector, the Fisheries Commission chalked some successes during the period under review.

The report said the Commission increased its revenue collection in respect of fishing licence fees from 69.0 million cedis in 1996 to 206.5 million cedis in 1997, representing a 300 per cent rise.

It attributed the achievement to the restructuring of the fishing industry by the sector ministry.

The report urged the Fisheries Department, in collaboration with the Ghana Navy, to conduct regular inspection of fishing vessels operating in the country's territorial waters to ensure that the fish stock is not depleted.

Seconding the motion for approval of the Committee's report, Alhaji Collins Dauda, (NDC-Asutifi South), urged the sector ministry to look for alternative material for the construction of canoes since the traditional 'WAWA" wood is threatened with depletion.

In the ensuing debate, Dr. Matthew Antwi, (NPP-Atwima/Kwanwoma), attributed the decrease in fish catch to the fact that most of the fishing was done by dug-out canoes which have lower catching capacity.

He, therefore, asked the Fisheries Commission to step up its research into finding more suitable and affordable fishing vessels to boost the fisheries industry.

Mr Emmanuel Zumakpeh, (NDC-Nadowli South), called for inter-sectoral collaboration to enhance the fishing industry.

Mr Kwasi Akomea Kyeremateng, (NPP-Afigya Sekyere East), noted that there appeared to be a decline in fish catch in 1997 as compared to 1996 and urged the sector ministry to take concrete measures to address the problems of the industry.

Mr Evans Kodjo Ahorsey, (NDC-Ayensuano), supported the motion and called for more resources to enable the Fisheries Commission to carry out its functions effectively.

The House adopted the report.

GRi../

Return to top