Government Withdraws Unapproved Fees, Ports Fees

Company News of Monday, April 8, 2019

Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

2019-04-08

The government must withdraw all fees and charges imposed by the agencies without the approval of Parliament at the ports, including the Kotoka International Airport.

This move is part of the measures to further reduce the cost of doing business in the country.

Prime Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo, who revealed this information at a big festival organized by Tema chiefs and residents to celebrate this year's Kplejoo festival, said the agencies would be invited to go through the festival. Parliament to obtain legitimate support before the fees are paid.

"Under our laws, only Parliament can impose taxes, fees and charges in the country," he said.

The theme of the festival was "60 years of resettlement; an opportunity to revive our unstable cultural customs and practices. "

Tema, unlike other states of Ga, organizes two annual festivals, namely the Kplejoo, which is celebrated in late March or early April and Homowo in August.

Kplejoo is accustomed to reconciling people and thanking God for his mercy.

On the durbar, identifiable groups of young people in the city dressed in colorful clothes follow each other to sing and dance to the sound of kpele's drums.

Mr. Osafo Maafo, addressing the concerns of Tema elders regarding the lack of jobs for indigenous people, said that a committee consisting of representatives of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Assembly metropolitan Tema and the Prime Minister's office were to be set up to ensure that: an employment quota system was reserved for natives of the region who sacrificed their land for the creation of the largest industrial city d & # 39; Africa.

Regarding concerns expressed by part of the population about the government's inability to punish former regime officials who had embezzled funds from the state, investigations were conducted by the appropriate agencies and those found guilty will be brought before the courts. courts.

Nii Shipi Armah Somponu, a member of Tema's traditional council, said he was concerned that, despite the sacrifice of much of their land for the Tema industrial area, Tema natives would be denied whenever they would look for a job.

He then asked for a quota of jobs in the industrial area for aboriginal people and appropriate royalties for aboriginals.

Tema East MP, Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, said the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation will soon start building a hospital worthy of Tema New Town.

He added that the alternative route to Tema New Town via Valco and the industrial zone would take off this year.

Felix Nii Anang-La, chief executive of Tema Metropolitan, said road rehabilitation works in the Bankuman area were about 80 percent complete, adding that the main roads in Tema New Town would be equipped with street lights.

Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse, congratulated the government for its commitment to ensuring peace and development of the nation.

He urged his subjects to take advantage of the policies implemented by the government to improve their lot.