The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has declared that if he wins the December elections, he will impose import restrictions on certain necessities.

Data that is currently available indicates that imports of products and services account for about 40% of the nation’s GDP (gross domestic product).

At a stakeholder meeting in Accra with members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Mahama stressed the need for legislation to strengthen support for regional companies.

He outlined strategies to revive important businesses, like the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO), with an emphasis on the downstream aluminum market.

Restrictions on unchecked imports of these goods would be implemented, according to the former President, by increasing local production capacities for these and other items.

“We work to revamp and reignite strategic industries such as Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) because of the downstream aluminium sector while boosting the production of rice, sugar, tomato, fish, poultry, meat and meat products, vegetable cooking oil, and pharmaceutical products.

“Once local capacity in the production of these and many other products is increased and boosted, we shall place restrictions on the unbridled importation of these items.”