Ignorance is bliss - you mean you have been quick to post on the Internet but do not know that the CEPS now Ghana Revenue Authority's website provides a table outlining duties one needs to pay for importing vehicles into Ghan ... read full comment
Ignorance is bliss - you mean you have been quick to post on the Internet but do not know that the CEPS now Ghana Revenue Authority's website provides a table outlining duties one needs to pay for importing vehicles into Ghana? Valuation, and cedi exchange rate issues, one may have a point, but not knowing and not bothering to find out or estimate the taxes/duties on imported vehicles, haba! www.gra.gov.gh/docs/info/vehicle_importation.pdf. Reducing face to face contact and automating clearances as much as possible and government "extreme" reliance on customs duties as "the" govt revenus source are the challenges to tackle left to me. Of course if the cedi traded 1-to-1 with the dollar, it won't feel so nauseating paying duties.
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
Linos,
Good try with "Ignorance is bliss".
We are all ignorant of something, at some point!
ITEM: Those are dumb tables, easily manipulated by employees. Where are the monetary amounts - what you yourself characterize ... read full comment
Linos,
Good try with "Ignorance is bliss".
We are all ignorant of something, at some point!
ITEM: Those are dumb tables, easily manipulated by employees. Where are the monetary amounts - what you yourself characterize as "Valuation, and cedi exchange rate issues"
This is 2015. What is needed is a module, online, that folks can access to input all the variables the GRA uses to calculate the levies for a particular vehicle, given age and size of engine. Module should be accurate to no less than 95%, with final, depending on exchange rate when vehicle is finally claimed!
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
module, online = App Online
module, online = App Online
Linos 9 years ago
Prof Lungu,
Couldn't agree with you more, however, not sure about those being "dumb tables", given that one can access blue book values based on MSRP, depreciation values based on year of manufacture and get a good estimat ... read full comment
Prof Lungu,
Couldn't agree with you more, however, not sure about those being "dumb tables", given that one can access blue book values based on MSRP, depreciation values based on year of manufacture and get a good estimate of the value GRA would likely put on the said vehicle. It is just a bit more involving than a regular app; which may be equally demanding given the daily exchange rate valuations. Really should be used only to get a very good estimate so one is prepared for the "vagaries of clearing a vehicle in Ogyakrom".
BULLET 9 years ago
THE IMPORTERS AND AGENTS MUST LEARN TO MAKE CORRECT DECLARATIONS OF THEIR GOODS SO THAT THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS CANNOT CASH IN.
THE IMPORTERS AND AGENTS MUST LEARN TO MAKE CORRECT DECLARATIONS OF THEIR GOODS SO THAT THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS CANNOT CASH IN.
Ama 9 years ago
Well said. Customs are robbers.
Well said. Customs are robbers.
BULLET 9 years ago
YES, THEY ONLY ROB THOSE WHO TRY TO CHEAT THE SYSTEM..I THINK IF THE IMPORTERS MAKE CORRECT DECLARATIONS,PAY THE CORRECT TAXES ETC.NO CUSTOMS OFFICER WILL PUT A KNIFE ON THEIR THROATS TO DEMAND ANYTHING FROM THEM.
YES, THEY ONLY ROB THOSE WHO TRY TO CHEAT THE SYSTEM..I THINK IF THE IMPORTERS MAKE CORRECT DECLARATIONS,PAY THE CORRECT TAXES ETC.NO CUSTOMS OFFICER WILL PUT A KNIFE ON THEIR THROATS TO DEMAND ANYTHING FROM THEM.
Alex London 9 years ago
I have said several times on this platform that what we need is a website which will enable importers to log the details of the vehicles to be imported, get taxes and duties and then pay them on line. And when you go to clear ... read full comment
I have said several times on this platform that what we need is a website which will enable importers to log the details of the vehicles to be imported, get taxes and duties and then pay them on line. And when you go to clear the vehicle you would only have to show them all documents relating to the vehicle and receipt of payment of relevant duties. This technology is so common and cheap. The only reason they do not want to adopt the technology is that it would deprive them enriching themselves.
Abeeku Mensah 9 years ago
The issue of CCTV and security at Ghana's ports and harbors is not new and some in the NDC government have had information and proposals on what to do that would allow for the retention of backup transaction files of all port ... read full comment
The issue of CCTV and security at Ghana's ports and harbors is not new and some in the NDC government have had information and proposals on what to do that would allow for the retention of backup transaction files of all ports activities at the parliament or seat of the presidency but its all smokes and no cigar at this point.
Ghana wants everything for free and or on the cheap and in every turn we have spend money to resolve problems on the cheap and have ended up wasting precious resources. Can anyone in Ghana who is technology savvy say with confidence that the network systems at our ministries is good enough to get effective work done? I will say no because a cursory look at the system shows the purchase, installation and implementation of switches and routers that cannot be remotely monitored from a central location and a poor network backbone within each of the minity office complexes. The vendor used copper and not optic fiber; they used less than one GIG network ports on connection even at agencies where speed of retrieving information is of utmost importance. Furthermore, Ghana's CCTV or network infrastructure is limited by the number of hours we have continuous and uninterrupted electricity. Fix the electricity problem and there will be plenty of systems to help minimize corruption in Ghana.
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
READ: "...the vendor used copper and not optic fiber; they used less than one GIG network ports on connection even at agencies where speed of retrieving information is of utmost importance. Furthermore, Ghana's CCTV or networ ... read full comment
READ: "...the vendor used copper and not optic fiber; they used less than one GIG network ports on connection even at agencies where speed of retrieving information is of utmost importance. Furthermore, Ghana's CCTV or network infrastructure is limited by the number of hours we have continuous and uninterrupted electricity..."
With respect to the first, didn't the Ghana Telecom sale by the NPP to Vodafone have a fibre-optic component. So, why has that not been a standard for government communications. already?
Also, why not speedier networks, given the rather sharp reductions in computer components, including memory?
Na Ghana wahala!
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
Rockson,
We will comment on this one because of the wider public policy implications we see!
READ: "...Elizabeth rather wants the details published on the harbours website..."
OUR COMMENT: Elizabeth, perhaps even more ... read full comment
Rockson,
We will comment on this one because of the wider public policy implications we see!
READ: "...Elizabeth rather wants the details published on the harbours website..."
OUR COMMENT: Elizabeth, perhaps even more than the Embassy person who called in to the radio station, has more common sense.
Why hasn't the Embassies asked the Port authority to do the same, and at the same time have the Embassies publish the information (or link) on their websites?
Better yet, why hasn't Mr. Mahama directed the Port authority to do that simple task? Surely, if Mr. Mahama can suspend CHRAJ Chief, a Chief Judge, from her position, he can! After all, we are not asking him to judge the Port authority, if he does not want to.
The CCTV idea may help, though it is certainly not fool-proof, as they should already have some installed.
However, we do not believe in the concept of "White pensioners" at the ports!
Thanks, Rockson Adofo!
Joe 9 years ago
This one de3 leave our overwhelmed Prez out. Also GPHA is not in charge of customs clearance, it's GRA, previously referred to as customs (CEPS).check out gov.gh website.
This one de3 leave our overwhelmed Prez out. Also GPHA is not in charge of customs clearance, it's GRA, previously referred to as customs (CEPS).check out gov.gh website.
Ignorance is bliss - you mean you have been quick to post on the Internet but do not know that the CEPS now Ghana Revenue Authority's website provides a table outlining duties one needs to pay for importing vehicles into Ghan ...
read full comment
Linos,
Good try with "Ignorance is bliss".
We are all ignorant of something, at some point!
ITEM: Those are dumb tables, easily manipulated by employees. Where are the monetary amounts - what you yourself characterize ...
read full comment
module, online = App Online
Prof Lungu,
Couldn't agree with you more, however, not sure about those being "dumb tables", given that one can access blue book values based on MSRP, depreciation values based on year of manufacture and get a good estimat ...
read full comment
THE IMPORTERS AND AGENTS MUST LEARN TO MAKE CORRECT DECLARATIONS OF THEIR GOODS SO THAT THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS CANNOT CASH IN.
Well said. Customs are robbers.
YES, THEY ONLY ROB THOSE WHO TRY TO CHEAT THE SYSTEM..I THINK IF THE IMPORTERS MAKE CORRECT DECLARATIONS,PAY THE CORRECT TAXES ETC.NO CUSTOMS OFFICER WILL PUT A KNIFE ON THEIR THROATS TO DEMAND ANYTHING FROM THEM.
I have said several times on this platform that what we need is a website which will enable importers to log the details of the vehicles to be imported, get taxes and duties and then pay them on line. And when you go to clear ...
read full comment
The issue of CCTV and security at Ghana's ports and harbors is not new and some in the NDC government have had information and proposals on what to do that would allow for the retention of backup transaction files of all port ...
read full comment
READ: "...the vendor used copper and not optic fiber; they used less than one GIG network ports on connection even at agencies where speed of retrieving information is of utmost importance. Furthermore, Ghana's CCTV or networ ...
read full comment
Rockson,
We will comment on this one because of the wider public policy implications we see!
READ: "...Elizabeth rather wants the details published on the harbours website..."
OUR COMMENT: Elizabeth, perhaps even more ...
read full comment
This one de3 leave our overwhelmed Prez out. Also GPHA is not in charge of customs clearance, it's GRA, previously referred to as customs (CEPS).check out gov.gh website.