The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has urged authorities to halt the entry of the affected imports through all land borders, arguing that the recent restriction at Aflao should be applied nationwide.
In a statement released on Monday, the Association praised the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) for what it described as a decisive and timely directive prohibiting selected transit goods from entering through the Aflao border.
FABAG characterised the action as an important measure to protect local industries, safeguard state revenue and reinforce regulatory oversight at the country’s frontiers.
Nonetheless, the Association cautioned that confining enforcement to only one border risks weakening the effectiveness of the policy.
While welcoming the step taken at Aflao, FABAG appealed to the Government and the GRA to implement the directive across all land borders nationwide without exception.
It warned that if the measure remains limited to a single entry point, importers could simply reroute transit goods through other borders, thereby undermining the intended objective.
The Association further called for the directive to go beyond transit consignments and instead impose a total ban on the affected products entering Ghana through land borders, whether for transit purposes or direct sale.
According to FABAG, restricting only transit goods could unintentionally leave gaps that enable smuggling, under-declaration and unfair trade practices to persist.
It maintained that a comprehensive nationwide enforcement strategy would help preserve local businesses and employment, encourage fair competition, curb illicit trade, boost revenue generation for development and strengthen border control mechanisms.
FABAG noted that Ghana’s manufacturing and formal trading sectors are already grappling with high operating costs, including tariffs, taxes, transport expenses and regulatory requirements.
It warned that unchecked inflows through porous land borders place law-abiding businesses at a serious disadvantage and threaten the viability of domestic production.
The Association therefore called on Customs, border security agencies and other relevant regulatory bodies to work together to ensure strict nationwide enforcement of the directive.
It emphasised that uniform application of the policy at all land entry points is essential to achieving the intended economic and regulatory outcomes.
FABAG reaffirmed its backing of government initiatives aimed at cleaning up the trading space and safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s borders, adding that it remains committed to constructive dialogue with policymakers to advance local industry growth, protect revenue and strengthen national economic resilience.
Meanwhile, in the United States, a severe winter storm prompted a travel ban in New York City, bringing the city of more than eight million residents to an almost complete halt before the restriction was lifted at noon local time. Roads, highways and bridges were closed.
In Connecticut and New Jersey, officials expressed fears that falling trees and branches could create hazardous driving conditions and trigger additional power outages.
In Providence, a spokesperson for the city told The Providence Journal that over 300 vehicles had been towed for obstructing snowplough operations. By Monday afternoon, however, towing had ceased, and drivers shifted to assisting motorists whose vehicles were stuck.
Air travel across the US was also heavily disrupted. More than 5,706 flights within, into or out of the country were cancelled on Monday, according to FlightAware.
Data from the tracking site indicated that 98% of departing flights from LaGuardia Airport were cancelled, while 91% of flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport were called off. Both airports had recorded approximately 19 inches (48cm) of snowfall.
At Logan International Airport in Boston, 92% of outgoing flights were cancelled, while Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey saw 92% of departures scrapped, and Philadelphia International Airport cancelled 80%.
Disruptions were expected to persist into Tuesday, with more than 2,000 additional flight cancellations anticipated nationwide, with airports in Boston and New York projected to be the most affected.
