Ghanaian businessman Akwasi Addai Odike has said the infusion of Chinese substandard goods has pushed indigenous Ghanaian businesses out of business.
The businessman and politician lamented the failure on the part of our leaders to enforce the law and protect the Ghanaian business community, and allowed foreigners to destroy several businesses.
He noted that the selfish interests of some people have led to the infusion of inferior goods from China into the country, which are competing with those in Ghana.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he said he was one of those who got affected by these challenges.
Odike stated that his shoe business was severely disrupted by the surge of Chinese substandard goods.
He said that because he had no competitive advantage, his business collapsed.
He recounted how Ghanaians, particularly university students, patronised his shoes.
Odike stressed that the influx of Chinese in almost every sector of our economy has been and will remain a threat to the survival of businesses in Ghana.
“When you look at the influx of Chinese merchandise in our markets and also examine what is happening in our mining areas, they have captured the sector. Even the government machinery prefers Chinese goods, and so we don’t need a soothsayer to tell us that we did not get support from the government in protecting Ghanaian-owned businesses.”
He wondered how we could import furniture for our ministries agencies, the Parliament of Ghana, from China.
He emphasised that it is difficult for Ghanaians to progress when the government fails to invest in protecting business.
He said, “Unfortunately, our economy has been taken over by foreigners, and it is dangerous and difficult for the country to grow.”.
He added, “Although these businesses come here to expand the economy, their investments don’t stay here for development. They repatriate their investments and their profits back to their respective countries. This is a serious issue. If you create a business and allow foreigners to come here and take over from your people, then where lies your independence?”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana