We won’t withdraw LI on cement price reporting – Afenyo-Markin to Bagbin

Majority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has declared the controversial Ghana Standards Authority Pricing of cement regulation, 2024 will not be withdrawn.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Wednesday advised Minister of Trade KT Hammond to withdraw the LI in order to address some concerns which could lead to the defeat of the legislation at the courts since parent Act is against price control.

But addressing the media in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin explained all the concerns of the Minority and sector players largely bothering on price regulation had been addressed before the laying.

According to the Effutu MP, the LI is only seeking to ensure price reporting.

He accused some Minority Members of Parliament still opposed to the LI of bad faith since the Subsidiary Legislation Committee which okayed the amendments is chaired by one of their own Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Bolgatanga East MP.

“When the matter came up for laying, our colleagues raised a strong objection to the effect that we must subject the L.I to a pre-laying suggestion we agreed. A pre-laying was done and a referral was made to the Subsidiary Legislation Committee which is chaired which is chaired by Dr. Dominic Ayine.

“After their deliberation, they came out with a report signed by the Chairman of the Committee. The content was to the effect that if the Trades Minister will take into consideration all the amendments, then they are not opposed to it”, Mr. Afenyo-Markin stated.

He continued: “Now true to his work, Hon. K.T Hammond incorporated every single amendment proposed by the Subsidiary Legislation into the new L.T before same was laid. The L.I which was previously brought to Parliament was changed. Every amendment which was proposed the Minority was factored into the new L.I. So the question is why come the next day some member of the Minority coming to attack government.”