An executive member of the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association, Aikins Mensah, says one does not need a certificate to become a second cloth dealer.
He stated that no certificate is required to become an importer, wholesaler, or retailer.
He posited that the sector has created jobs for several people and also provided opportunities for those who cannot afford expensive clothing to buy from them.
He noted that all one needs is to be diligent, truthful, and dedicated to operating in that sector.
Speaking in an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, he said the sector was previously dominated by women, but in recent times, men have also joined.
“The sector is a chain of importers who import goods in large quantities. Then there are those who are into wholesaling, retailing, and other forms of trade.
“There are those who also engage in supply. We have others who also export from Ghana to other neighbouring countries.”
Meanwhile, he has attributed the hikes in second clothing to the depreciation of the cedi and the cost of duties, among other factors.
Responding to concerns raised by some Ghanaians over how used clothing has become expensive, he said the situation should be blamed on the depreciation of the cedi.
He stated that the cedi has been depreciating strongly against numerous currencies, particularly the US dollar, for some time, resulting in rising retail costs.
The depreciation he mentioned has grown more normal, in the sense that the cedi is depreciating on a daily basis.
The cost of the dollar, he lamented, keeps changing every twenty-four hours, and it is a major threat to businesses that the government ought to address.
“This is a major crisis. The depreciation of the cedi is threatening us. We pray the cedi will appreciate against the dollar for even a period of 3 months, and things will change a bit. The depreciation is now on a daily basis.
You will call someone today and ask about the price of a dollar, and the next day, the price has changed. This is dangerous for business owners. The price abroad for the goods has not changed. The challenge confronting us is the depreciation of the dollar. For the several years I have imported from China, the price has never changed, but the depreciation of the cedi is what is causing the problem. That is why we are appealing to the government to do something about it.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
