The Abbossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has expressed deep concern over the impact of import duties on their businesses, describing the situation as a major threat to their financial performance and long-term sustainability.

Chairman of the Association, Henry Okyere, announced that foreign traders operating within the Abbossey Okai community have been invited to a crucial meeting to discuss their activities.

He cautioned that if these traders fail to attend, the association will have no option but to close their shops beginning September 1, 2025.

Speaking at a general meeting on August 28, 2025, attended by key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, Okyere criticised the growing presence of “table-top businesses” run by foreign nationals, saying they were undermining the operations and market share of local spare parts dealers.

He stressed that under Ghana’s trade laws, such businesses are not permitted and urged regulatory bodies to act swiftly to protect local enterprises.

General Secretary of the Association, Gifty Lovelace Fianu, also appealed to the government to “urgently review current import duties,” which she said were crippling businesses despite the recent depreciation of the dollar.

Slash prices to reflect cedi’s gains – Abossey Okai spare parts dealers to members

According to her, “the reduction in the exchange rate has not translated into lower import duties, leaving traders frustrated and burdened with high operational costs.”

While commending government efforts to stabilize the local currency, Fianu stressed that much more needed to be done to ease the financial strain on dealers.

She urged authorities to implement measures that would ensure fairer import duty charges and safeguard the survival of local spare parts businesses.

AM/MA

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