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0 The Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC) says it is in talks with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to implement a 65% quota on the importation of machetes into the country.
This safeguard measure, initially scheduled to take effect from March 30, 2024, for 24 months subject to review, has faced delays in its implementation.
Crocodile Machete Ghana Limited filed a petition with the GITC in 2021, seeking remedial measures against unfair trade practices such as dumping, subsidisation, and the increasing importation of counterfeit and substandard machetes.
The company reiterated its concerns in October 2023, highlighting a surge in machete imports that was negatively impacting its market share and sales.
Between 2021 and July 2023, China and Colombia accounted for 74.68% and 17.93% of machete imports into Ghana, respectively.
In February, the GITC, led by its Chairman Dr Adu Gyamfi, determined that a safeguard measure was necessary, imposing a 65% quota and limiting annual machete imports to 1,534.4 metric tonnes, down from the current 2,365.85 metric tonnes.
The shortfall of 831.45 metric tonnes was to be compensated by Crocodile Machete to help the company regain its competitive edge and market share.
Despite the directive’s slated effective date of March 30, its implementation has been delayed.
Policy Coordination and Ministry of Trade and Industry liaison at the GITC, Maxwell Apenkro, speaking to ChannelOne News explained that “Machete implementation doesn’t work with GIPC. It will take another institution to implement and that is GRA customs and GRA customs too they have to work with another agency which is Ghana Link to also do the configuration on the icons because we have announced.”
Mr Apenkro added that there were ongoing efforts to ensure the timely implementation of the safeguard measures, assuring further that the Commission does not anticipate importers exploiting the situation.
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