Parliament Has No Respect For Local Furniture Producers � AFAG

The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has said that the importation of furniture from China to refurbish the chamber of Parliament is a clear sign that the leadership of Parliament led by its Speaker, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, has no respect for local furniture producers. �What was the rationale behind the importation of furniture from China when we have renowned and capable furniture companies in the country? Do we still expect foreigners and Ghanaians to have confidence in made-in-Ghana products?� AFAG asked. The pressure group also accused the house of inflating the cost of furnishing the chamber. Addressing journalists in Accra yesterday, the Chairman of AFAG, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, said the decision taken by Parliament was to undermine local industries, and added that �This would dampen the spirit of local furniture companies�. Background Parliament resumed sitting on November 4, this year, to a newly refurbished chamber but it later emerged that the furniture was imported from China. Some MPs expressed their displeasure at the decision by the leadership of Parliament to disregard the President�s advice for Ghanaians to use made-in-Ghana products. But the leadership of Parliament explained that the importation was made due to the limited time it had to put the chamber in order for MPs to resume work. AFAG on economy Dr Afriyie said since the NDC-led government took over six years ago, the economy of Ghana had continued to deteriorate and living conditions of Ghanaians had also worsened. He accused the NDC administration of getting involved in various corrupt dealings, citing the ongoing construction of the Kwame Nkrumah interchange in Accra as one of them. According to Dr Afriyie, the pressure group would continue to put government on its toes and reveal any corrupt activities within the NDC government.