The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) says factoring the new freight charges into duty calculation by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will bring unbearable consequences for the trading community in Ghana.
According to the Association, they were surprised to know that Government is planning to accept the increasing freight charges into their duty calculations.
“It has come to the notice of The Ghana Union of Traders Association that Customs is going to adopt the ever-increasing freight charges into their duty calculations,” they stated.
GUTA says it is unacceptable for that to be done, adding that the general public will feel the impact and may no longer be able to cope with the increasing prices.
“This is unacceptable and we want the government to note that world commodities prices have gone up astronomically, freight charges have gone up and other factors have also contributed in making prices of goods go up to the extent that the consuming public is beginning to feel the impact and are no longer able to cope with prices,” the Association stated in a release.
GUTA, in the release signed by the President, Dr. Joseph Obeng, expressed their disquiet about the development and indicated that they were not going to accept the decision that the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is going to adopt the new shipping freight charges.
“In this regard, we are not going to accept that Customs adopt the new shipping freight charges into their duty calculations. Otherwise, it is going to worsen our plight,” they stated.
According to the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), there is currently a public discourse ongoing about the prices of goods that must be sustained.
“There is this public discourse as to how prices of goods can be maintained. This intention by Customs will not help in this direction and it is our hope that government takes a strong look at this,” GUTA stated.
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