Trade Minister, Kobina Tahir Hammond has defended his decision to sack representatives of the Cement Manufacturers Association from a meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GCCI).
The meeting took place at Christ the King in Accra.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, Mr. Hammond said he does not see anything wrong with his actions.
“I don’t see anything wrong with it. I called for a meeting with the manufacturers, but they refused to attend” he fumed.
According to him, the only reason the manufacturers gave for not attending was his insistence on having the meeting in the presence of the media.
He clarified, “This particular meeting was meant for interactions with the Chamber of Construction.”
Following Mr. Hammond’s insistence, Emmanuel Tettey Martey, Chairman of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industries, requested that the cement manufacturers exit.
But the Trade Minister said since Monday, he has been meeting with other stakeholders on different issues.
“They are not the only ones I need to meet. I am tired of this situation,” he said.
The Trade Minister also mentioned that, he has laid the document in Parliament, and it will become law in 21 days.
“I don’t need any input from them regarding implementation. Now I am beginning to think that they are hiding things and don’t want us to know. After disrespecting me, they are going around saying things that are not worth it” he fumed.
Mr. Hammond acknowledged the challenges posed by a free market system. “I understand it is a free economy, so everyone does what they want.”
However, he stated that a free economy should not be equated with exploiting consumers.
“My understanding of a free economy is not the freedom to cheat or fleece people. Economic enterprise is about the freedom of trade and achieving profits within reasonable means, not making senseless and unreasonable profits at the expense of the citizenry,” he concluded.
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