The Small Scale Rice Dealers Association of Ghana (SSRIDA), welcomes Dr Ekwow Spio Garbrah, as Minister of Trade and Industry and asked him to use his term of office to address the concerns of members.

A statement issued by Mr Yaw Korang, Coordinator of SSRIDA in Accra on Monday said members view his appointment as a relief and a platform to continue their fight for the lifting of the ban on inland importation of rice.­

It said although different platforms had been used to draw the ministry’s attention to the harm the ban had caused “authorities at the ministry had put a deaf ear to our cry”. ­

The statement said infiltration of foreigners into the economy contradicts Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, and members would like to meet him and to have fruitful discussions on the issue.