The Joint Consultative Business Associations: Ghana Chamber of Commerce, The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Ghana Automobile Dealers Association (GADA), Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, Association of Ghana Industries(AGI), Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana at a meeting held today wishes to inform the media , it’s members , the government , and the general public that we have never met, held  discussions or consultation with the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) towards the implementation of the Advance Shipment Information (ASHI) which has been indefinitely suspended by the government.

As far as the Joint Consultative Business Associations is concerned ASHI and G-CAP has indefinitely been suspended by the government and it is regrettable that the Ghana Shippers Authority is blatantly defying the orders of the President by trying to use all means necessary to implement the ASHI.

The Business community is resolved to ensure that no personal interest will over ride that of the business community and the National interest. We are very convinced the program is never in the interest of the state but only seeks to enrich a few self-centered individuals.

We therefore advise our members, the business community, and our trading partners to ignore any information that comes from the GSA regarding the implementation of ASHI.

We further advise the GSA to rather concern itself much more important issues pertaining to high demurrage and rent, general inefficiency at the ports and extortions that often comes from shipping lines.

The group wishes to note that the problems confronting the business community are so numerous that any additional tax oriented policy will aggravate the already precarious situation. It is important for policy makers to be sensitive to the plight of the business community in times like these.

SIGNED

 John Awuni- Representing the Interest of Beverages Companies and  Mr. George  Ofori- GUTA PRESIDENT,