Diaspora group appeals to President Mahama to reduce high port duties

There is a strong call for President John Dramani Mahama to ease port charges, in line with his 2024 campaign pledge to rationalize port fees to reduce the burden on importers and boost trade.

This appeal is coming from the President of the Ghana Council in Belgium, Kwaku Boamah Acheampong.

According to him, this issue has long been a major concern for Ghanaians in the diaspora, hence their call on the government to swiftly address the situation.

“The major concern for Ghanaians in the diaspora is the excessive duties. The President promised during the campaign tour that the new NDC government would work on it, so please take this issue to Cabinet for us,” he said.

Port charges are too much for ordinary Ghanaians – UK-based lawyer

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, to the Ghanaian community in Belgium, Boamah also raised concerns about the ban on certain Ghanaian food exports to the European market.

He explained that the ban is due to the excessive use of pesticides on these products.

“These vegetables and other foodstuffs are not allowed in the European market. They are banned because they contain too many pesticides. And this is blocking a big market for our agricultural development,” he added.

He called for proper mechanisms to ensure Ghanaian produce meets international best practices and standards.

SP/MA

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