Reduction of import duties; Government should not speak – GUTA (VIDEO) | Policy

The Ghana Traders Association (GUTA) has called on the government to keep its promises regarding the import tariff cuts announced this weekend.

According to them, even if they are enthusiastic about this announcement, they expect the government to immediately put in place measures that will generate discussions that will lead to the full implementation of the tariff reduction. Importing harmful to their activities.

Some unions, including the Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA), asked the State Council a few months ago to intervene to revise taxes and duties on imported products because they are too high.

Following the petition, the State Council took steps to hold consultations with various stakeholders to enable it to provide informed advice on the issue.

The council held talks with a number of stakeholders, including the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, and the Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, M Isaac Crentsil.

The council also met with Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta and GUTA executives, ending the month-long consultation exercise.

They then held an in camera meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on the high rate of duties, taxes and levies on imported products at Ghana's entry points and the vast amounts of foreign trade. tax exemptions.

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said that reforms to Ghana's import tariff regime, which will remove high tariffs in Ghana's ports, are underway and will soon be implemented. implemented.

"The studies we have done have shown us that our ports are not competitive and that our country's import regime is far too high. We are taking care of that and, very soon, the measures that the government will put in place will be known to all of you. I do not speak next year or in 6 months, I speak very very soonHe told the Ghanaian community in the United States.

Speak on Ok fmof Ade Akye Abia program, Dr. Joseph Obeng, National President of GUTA, said
"We have been waiting for this from the government for too long. We petitioned the State Council regarding the high cost of import duties that paralyze our activities. So, now that the government has said, we expect him to act as soon as possible to allow us to bounce back."