The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) says they are still reeling under high import duties at the various ports and points of entry.
National Organizer for GUTA, Clement Boateng explains that local businesses continue to suffer as a result of the inability of the government to take steps to ensure a reduction of import duties at the ports, even though it promised to do so.
Mr. Boateng who was speaking on Accra based Starr Fm reiterated the fact that the cost of goods on the market will increase further if nothing is done about the situation.
‘’We are concerned because we are not the only ones bearing the brunt of the high import duties. The cost will automatically be transferred to the final consumer who is the ordinary Ghanaian. That is why we are insisting that government should meet us halfway and ensure that something is done quickly about this age long issue’’ he said.
The concern follows comment from President Akufo-Addo during the media encounter last year about talks to scrap import duties or slash it significantly to boost port operations.
“Businessmen in the country have been complaining about high import duties but currently that is one of the ways government can also make revenue, but we are very prepared to engage government. We think that import duties are killing the business community in Ghana” he added.
But CEO of the Institute of Certified Economist Ghana, Gideon Amissah says GUTA’s demands are likely not to be met because of current ambitious projects of government.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
