Philip Assafua, the chief executive officer of Appeb Cylinder Manufacturing Company has suggested to the government to ban the importation of gas cylinders into Ghana.
His comment comes amidst the recent depreciation of the Ghana cedi, which has made locally manufactured gas cylinders quite expensive as compared to imported ones.
Speaking to Asaase News on Monday, 7 November, Assafua said the government must swiftly intervene to save the local cylinder industry.
“It is my expectation that by now, there should be some directive, a least, like we are talking about import substitution, there shouldn’t be the reason why anybody should import cylinders into the country,” he said. “Because we have the capacity here and we can meet any demand in the country.”
“These are some of the things I am talking about in terms of protection. The government must come out with policies to protect the industry in terms of cost.
“If a factory in Ghana, is managing within the current circumstances, and that factory is still keeping people employed… that factory needs the support of the government. A lot of companies are sacrificing their profit margins just to survive,” Assafua added.
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