Council of State, President to confer on import duties review

The Council of State is determined to intervene in reviewing import duties downwards after conferring with President Akufo-Addo this week.

The Council of State was petitioned by Trade Union members, Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) and other related parties to intervene and help save them from the exorbitant charges.

The council, its emerged has held discussions with a number of stakeholders in its month-long consultation including the Minister of Finance; Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Trade and Industry; Mr. Alan Kyerematen, the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Isaac Crentsil and leadership of GUTA.

The importers submit should the high duties and taxes on imported goods into the country be reduced, the state can realise more revenue for development through honouring its tax obligations.

Although the government abolished duty on the importation of spare parts as well as introducing the one percent special import levy in July 2013 and digitizing the clearing system at the ports to seal loopholes, the importers reckon more needs to be done.