Parliament approves ban on importation of firecrackers

Accra, Dec. 14, GNA - Parliament on Tuesday adopted the report on the legislative instrument (LI) backing the prohibition of the importation of certain firecrackers and display shells.

The LI, "Export and Import (prohibition of Importation) 1999, confers on the Minister of Trade the power to ban the importation of Firecrackers (knockouts), display shells, artillery shells and ball and canister shells.

It takes effect from Thursday, December 16, 1999. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five million cedis or a term of imprisonment not exceeding a year or both.

The LI, which resulted in a heated and lengthy debate, was to give legal effect to an earlier Executive Instrument issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in July. Mr. George Buadi, (NDC-Amenfi West), said the LI would hurt the business community because it was not properly consulted on the issue.

He appealed to statutory bodies to make consultations with the business community on issues before presenting instruments to the House to prevent unnecessary hardship to business groups and individuals. Mr Francis Buor, (NPP-Offinso South), said "the ban will take away the fun and enjoyment associated with occasions like Christmas".

He said it is, therefore, not fair to ban the importation of the firecrackers without listening to the players involved and called for the withdrawal of the LI. Mr Modestus Ahiable, (NDC Ketu-North), said the ban on the firecrackers "is not a sheer display of government's power but an act to protect the safety of the public".

He said the irresponsible use of the firecrackers by some individuals had resulted in the burning of vehicles, houses and sometimes had caused serious injury to people. Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, NPP Ejisu-Juaben), urged the house to reject the L.I. because "it will create a lot of financial problems for the nation and its citizens".

He said people had taken loans from the banks to "import these things while the Bank of Ghana had issued out foreign exchange to support the purchase of the firecrackers". "The principle behind the L.I. may be right but it is ill-timed". Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, (NPP-Sekondi), said since the L.I. does not infringe on any constitutional provision or the parent law, it should be passed.

Mr J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the house "requires two thirds majority to drop the LI". The NDC member for Berekum said even by this, enough legal and constitutional reasons should be cited to justify such a decision. Nana Akufo-Addo, (NPP-Abuakwa), questioned the right of some members to question the ban of the commodities, saying the substance of the matter "is whether to pass the LI or to annul it and not matters embodied in the L.I".

He said the Executive has every right to take and enforce any realistic decision it deems fit to ensure public safety. Two other reports, one on the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules 1999 C.I 24 and the other on the Appeal Court (Amendment) Rules 1999 C.I 25, were also adopted