As of 1 August, the Government has lifted the ban on rice imports through the land borders of Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta. The ban, which had been in force for about three years, was introduced to check the uncontrolled flow of rice across the borders, in order to ensure quality standards and to curb unfair trade practices. During the period of the ban, a Ministry of Trade and Industry directive stipulated that imports of rice were allowed only through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) or the Takoradi and Tema ports.