The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will today hold a press conference on the reversal of benchmark value discounts on imported goods.
Government, through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced that effective Tuesday, January 4, 2022, Benchmark values will be reversed for some 43 selected items.
The reversal will affect some selected items from all the three categories on which the reversal was applied.
Reaction from trade unions
Though GRA has explained that this is to ensure importers or agents pay 100% duty on selected items and has also indicated that a “series of engagements have been had with relevant stakeholders to reach a consensus on the implementation of the policy,” the decision has been greeted with opposition from some trade unions including the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).
GUTA has warned that any attempt to introduce this policy in the 2022 Budget will disrupt Ghana’s distribution sector. President of the Union, Dr Joseph Obeng, insists that prices of goods will increase significantly if government reverses the reduction of values of selected items if the government proceeds with the implementation.
In an earlier press statement, he added that scrapping the policy will be suicidal, saying the policy brought relief to the trading community, sanity into the system, and eased tension and agitations amid the impact of the coronavirus on cross-border trade.
Also joining calls against the directive is the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana.
Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Aasaki Awingobit, has also stated that the reversal will bring untold hardship on its members.
He noted that even with the status quo, some of his members could not clear their goods due to financial difficulties; hence, the new directive will be an add-up to the challenges his members face while clearing their goods.
Following these concerns, The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) has asked the government to hold on with implementing the reversal of the benchmark value policy.
The NDC presser
In view of this, the opposition party will also hold a press conference at its National Headquarters at Adabraka to express concerns over the directive. The conference will come off at 2pm.
Latest Stories
-
Ryan Garcia denies using performance-enhancing drugs after beating Devin Haney
11 mins -
We must change phenomenon of moneyed elections – Raymond Atuguba
12 mins -
Accra Lions punished us for not taking our chances – Hearts of Oak assistant coach Abdul Bashiru
15 mins -
Biosafety Authority welcomes court’s dismissal of application seeking injunction on approval of 14 GMOs
26 mins -
Adaklu-Tevikpo murder suspect arrested from hideout
26 mins -
Asante artefacts return: Reawakening of Asante’s Soul
32 mins -
ECG attributes May 1 dumsor to rainstorm
45 mins -
Armed robbers attack Mobile Money agent in broad daylight at Tumu
46 mins -
Ghana to compete for 2024 Olympics ticket in Bahamas World Athletics Relays
49 mins -
COCOBOD workers bemoan effect of illegal mining on cocoa sector
53 mins -
We are unhappy with recent results – Hearts of Oak assistant coach Abdul Bashiru
56 mins -
Why I said Wizkid disrespected Don Jazzy – Macaroni explains
1 hour -
You are making people angry with your utterances – Kwesi Pratt tells Akufo-Addo
1 hour -
Age is just a number: How 60-year-old Argentine emerged Miss Universe Buenos Aires
1 hour -
GNPC new boss Joseph Abuabu Dadzie starts work today
2 hours