By Laudia Sawer
Tema, Sept. 30, GNA -The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has held its Tema Regional annual general meeting with a call on government to provide industries with a fair electricity tariff to ensure the survival of private enterprises.
The meeting, which is the last of a series of general meetings across the country for the AGI, was held on the theme: “Creating a Conducive Business Environment for Industrial Competitiveness: 24-Hour in Perspective.”
Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, the Chief Executive Officer of the AGI, noted that the cost of energy and erratic power supply were having a huge impact on the production of industries, adding that even though they were mindful that the companies in the power chain must also survive, the tariff must also be fair to ensure the survival of the private sector.
Mr Twum-Akwaboah stated that “AGI is engaging government for a fair tariff, or it will kill the industries.”
He emphasised that even though the AGI was working closely with the government on its policies, especially the 24-hour economy, it was important that external economic issues be tackled, as that was beyond the control of the industries.
He noted that when such macroeconomic issues as policies, regulations and tariffs, among others, have been dealt with, they could also handle the ones within their mandate.
Touching on other challenges faced by industries, he mentioned that value chain development, unstable exchange rates and taxation, among others, must be looked at.
Mr Twum-Akwaboah stated that even though the country recorded significant improvement in the exchange rate, the difficulty faced by industries was the stability of the cedi, which would give them the basis to do proper planning and predictability.
He disclosed that some companies suffered during the cedi appreciation period and called on the government to identify such companies and put in some measures to support them to keep afloat in their businesses.
He also said taxation was another issue, stating, however, that despite the fact that AGI was not against taxation, it must be done appropriately to make the local industries competitive on the market.
MrTwum-Akwaboah further said industry was also faced with the production value chain, revealing that one of the headaches of industry players was not having the required material to source locally even though they were willing to source locally, pushing them to import raw materials from neighbouring countries.
“All these things must work; it’s not because we don’t have the materials, but the chain is weak. When the product is in season there is plenty; when not in season you can’t get it, but industries don’t work like that; the raw material must always be available for production to take place.”
Dr Eddie Akwetey, the Tema regional Chairman of the AGI, welcoming participants, recounted the meetings and engagements leadership have had with stakeholders in the year, adding that they were working on getting the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly (NIPDA) to get all industries within the area to join the association.
Dr Akwetey said they started engaging NIPDA in 2023 and would still continue to ensure that they get the needed land in the area for industries to expand their operations, as there was no more land in the main Tema area for industrial buildings.
He said the meeting was for members and leadership to take stock of its activities in the year and chart a new path for the years ahead.
Mr Samuel Oteng, the Greater Accra East (Tema) Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), took the AGI members through the acquisition of permits, air pollution and the work of the EPA.
He encouraged industries to renew their permits in time, reminding them that the renewal process must start three months prior to expiration, adding that failure to renew in time would attract sanctions of three times the fee to be paid.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah