Ghana's borders levy charges too high - Nigerian traders bemoan

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has raised red flag against the US$200 transit fee levied by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on export consignments among members Fromm's the West African countries.

According to the Nigerian traders, GRA collecting such amount contravenes the ECOWAS Inter States Road Transit Convention (ISRT) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) which are building blocks to the AfCFTA.

"Institution/collection of a US$200 transit fee levied by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on export consignments in transit through frontier stations, should be reviewed", statement signed and by NANTS president, Ken UKAOHA, Esq. appealed.

In recommendation letter addressed to President Akufo-Addo congratulating Ghana for successful hosting of the AFCFTA Secretariat, NANTS members urged the President to use his executive powers to as an astute lawyer and AFCFTA Secretary to take a second look at Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) Act.

"Your Excellency, given that your background as a sound and respected lawyer of long standing and repute, we humbly invite you to now take another URGENT look at the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) Act 865 (2013), which was enacted to phase out and replace the previous GIPC Act 478 (1994)".

According to NANTS president, Ken UKAOHA, the unlawful collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on transit services, as VAT should be pro-rated and charged on only the distance covered in the Ghana territory, in direct adherence to the existing VAT Law 2013 (Act 870.

"We believe that in order to guide against needless humiliation of Ghana’s integrity herein secured by the hosting of AfCFTA Secretariat, your Government will need to weigh down on politicians as well as miscreants who masquerade as leaders and fan the embers of xenophobic attacks against citizens of other nationals trading in Ghana. This appeal is however without prejudice to sanctions against any form of criminality disguised as trade by anyone whosoever".