Waive taxes on donated items - Tema Mantse

Tema, Oct. 6, GNA - Nii Adjei Kraku the Second, Tema Mantse, has appealed to the government to waive taxes and tariffs on goods imported into the country by philanthropists. Nii Kraku said charging exorbitant tariffs for the clearance of goods meant for donations to educational or health institutions, could affect the resource base of the benefactors. He made the appeal when he donated library books worth 5,000 dollars to the Tema Metropolitan Library.

The books, which were presented on behalf of the Tema Traditional Council (TTC) and the Friendship Force of Tema and Akosombo, a social support group, include English Language, Science and Mathematics as well as other books for both children and adults. The Tema Mantse said due to the numerous frustrations donors faced, most of them after shipping the goods abandoned them at the ports, as they could not afford to pay the taxes, which sometimes exceeded the price of the items.

He thanked the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Mearsk Line Shipping Agents, for helping the Council to clear the books, when they were contacted.

He said some of the books which were solicited from Atlanta by the Friendship Force and himself, had already been presented to schools in Akosombo, Teshie, Tema Manhean and Amasaman. Nii Kraku said the books would help the children to improve on their learning and derive the full benefits to help build the human resource base of the metropolis. Mr Wilfred Monu, Tema Metropolitan Librarian who received the books thanked the Tema Mantse, the TTC and other stakeholders for making the donation possible.

Mr Monu said the donation would increase the Tema Metro Library's books' stock, noting that it currently has a total of 6,991 and 6,791 children and adults books respectively. The Metropolitan Librarian added that, people should not be tired of reading as that was the only way to broaden their knowledge and become responsible citizens. Touching on the library's challenges, he said due to the lack of a fence around the property, delinquents use the premises for their criminal activities, especially during the night.