Govt urged to reduce duties on goods for charities

Accra, Aug. 10, GNA 96 The Deputy Director of Remar Association (Ghana), a Christian Charity Organisation, on Thursday appealed to the Government to reduce import duties and other charges charity organisations and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) paid on items donated for their work.

Mr Karambe Ousmane, the Deputy Director said the long documentation processes involved in clearing goods at the ports as well as the high duties paid on such goods, made it difficult for charity organisations to clear their donations in time and this was adversely affecting their operations.

Mr Ousmane made the appeal when Ms Esther Afriyie Baiden, a London-based Ghanaian philanthropist presented quantities of used clothes, Christian literatures and cash to the organisation. He said Remar had over 500 people, including orphans, alcoholics, drug addicts and school dropouts at their centres.

"At least 300 of these children are in primary and junior secondary schools at our centres in Accra, Nsawam, Kumasi, Aflao, and Tema. We feed, clothe, house as well as take care of their medical needs," he said.

Ms Esther Afriyie Baiden said she was touched by the plight of the many disadvantaged people that Remar assisted and therefore solicited the help of her church members, friends and families who contributed both in cash and kind to support the association.