Sunyani (B/A) Feb. 11, GNA- The Association of Spare Parts Dealers at Sunyani Magazine, has registered its displeasure at the proposed ban of the importation of second-hand spare parts into the country. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Thursday in Sunyani, the secretary of the association Mr. James Agyei, said although Vice-President John Mahama had proposed a national debate on the issue, the association did not support the idea.

He said the spare parts business was their source of livelihood and a ban on its importation would render many jobless, adding to the already hig= h unemployment rate in the country.

Mr. Agyei reiterated that the high spate of road accidents in the country could not be attributed to the use of second-hand spare parts, saying; 93majority of road accidents are caused by the bad nature of our roads, non-maintenance of vehicles, negligence and carelessness on the part of some drivers".

The secretary however said that third grade second-hand tyres could be banned. He urged the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) to verify the quality of all imported second-hand products before allowing them on the market. A member of the association, Mr. Kwaku Akoto, said the second-hand or "home used" spare parts were of the best quality, saying those produced= for the African market were of sub-standard quality.

"There is no manufacturing company that produces spare-parts in Ghan= a and the ban would not only affect retailers but also users of both commercial and private vehicles." Mr. Akoto stressed that 93because second-hand spare parts are of hig= h quality and affordable, it was the preferred choice of many buyers", addi= ng, some brand new spare-parts of some vehicles were not available on the Ghanaian market. 11 Feb.11

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