Government debating on possible duty-free economy – Akufo-Addo

There is a debate ongoing by government officials regarding whether government should abolish duties paid on imported goods into the country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has revealed.

He explained that some officials want Ghana to emulate the steps taken by Hongkong, Dubai and Singapore where there are no duties on goods whereas others want the status quo to remain.

Soon, he said, the results of that debate will be known to all Ghanaians.

Addressing journalists at a media encounter at the seat of government, the Jubilee House on Wednesday December 19, Mr Akufo-Addo said: “…On high import duties, there is a major debate going on inside our government right now about what action we are going to take on the duties.

“There is a strong lobby that is saying that we should go, for instance, the level of Hongkong, Singapore Dubai – almost no import duties, everything comes in and it will generate a lot of business.

“That argument is being made. The traditional argument is also being made that we maintain the duty system. I am hoping that very soon the final result of that debate inside the government will be known to the Ghanaian people.”