While many have applauded government’s reduction in benchmark values of imported goods and vehicles, the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana is unenthused by the move.

Executive Secretary, Sam Aggrey reckons the new directive will compel business owners to lay off workers noting in an already unguarded market, making life easier for importers of things which can be produced here only stabs domestic business units in the back despite government’s ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ mantra.

“There should have been a corresponding stimulant package for local business as the home businesses spend huge sums on fuel, power and labour,” Mr. Aggrey intimated adding “already the fruit juice and carbonated drink market is flooded with foreign products.”

In a related development, the General Sectary of the Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU), Abraham Koomson also holds that the slashing of import duties at the port “will further weaken the cedi” stressing “the initiative is dangerous for the economy and will further depreciate the cedi.”

Mr. Koomson feared already struggling local textile companies will find it difficult to retain workers to produce when imported cloth is relatively cheaper thanks to incentives manufacturers enjoy in their home countries not to touch on pirated and smuggled cloth also flooding the market