You want some?
Ghana plans to enforce a ban on the sale of second-hand
underwear beginning in February, an official said on Monday, citing
the health risks involved in the hawking of the garments by street
vendors.
"We are collaborating with the Ghana Standard Board to halt the
importation of second-hand underwear into the
country as a measure to promote good health and reduce government?s
expenditure on health," said Appiah Donyinah, director of
import and export at the trade ministry.
The enforcement of the ban on imports and sales in the West
African nation would extend to other used goods as well, including
mattresses, handkerchiefs, socks and pants, he said.
"We banned the importation of these items into the country
sometime in 1994, but the implementation was not effective," said
Donyinah. "Now we are going to make sure that it is fully
implemented."
Youths who sell wares on the streets of the capital Accra also
deal in second-hand underwear that is brought in from outside the
country and is cheaper than the new versions.
Second-hand goods are often brought in to Ghana and other African nations from wealthier
countries.
"The government will throw us out of business should this ban
come into effect. This is my only source of livelihood," Seth
Opare, a dealers at Accra's Makorla Market,
told AFP.
Another dealer in second-hand pants said the ban was unfair.
"People patronise my goods because they are not expensive as
compared to the new ones in the market," said Kwesi Anim. "The
government must consider the plight of the poor and change their
decision