Businesses in the country are under pressure to fold up as a result of high taxes on imports and exports commodities coming into the country.
In this difficult time there is the need for the government to give tax relief on huge import duties of Value Added Tax (VAT) that is suffocating businesses in the country.
Practically the tax regime at the port is very high and if we are not careful; we cannot celebrate Christmas, this may arise as a result of prices of consumables goods will escalate due to high cost of duties clearing charges at the port.
The Executive Secretary of Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana Awingobit Aasaki Sampson said this on Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor FM 92.3 hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
He is of the view that, the expectations from the importers and exporters desire to hear from the 2024 budget was missing which has to do with lowering VAT duties on importers goods was missing.
This he opined can lead to diversion of all our imports into the country through Togo or any West African ports which have lower import duties. Businesses are going down as a result of higher taxes on goods and services.
Awingobit Aasaki Sampson reiterated that the tax components in the build ups in the duties is very high and there is a need for the government to decouple some of the taxes to lower the duty charges on imported goods coming onto the country.
He is of the view that, the government and its subsidiary agencies must work hard to discourage high cost of shipping line charges on containers coming into the country.
Awingobit Aasaki Sampson, reiterated that our port is gradually coming into a halt and if care and pragmatic policies are not put in place all the business that has to do with imports and exports will be channel to other neighboring countries.
AYM Kukah. E:mail: kukahalexander7@gmail.com
