Import Duties Reduction: We aren't 'yen tie obia' government - Info Minister

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the reduction in import duties is a way of letting Ghanaians appreciate the fact that the Akufo-Addo administration is "a listening government that always have the interest of Ghanaians at heart".

He was reiterating government's decision to reform the local import duty regime with the aim of reducing the prevailing high duties on imported items to make the country's ports more competitive.

Importers will soon heave a sigh of relief as the ruling government intends to reduce high taxes and duties on imported items at the ports.

“We have realised from the studies we have done that our ports are not competitive, and the import regime in our country is far too high. We are dealing with it, and, very soon, the measures that government will roll out will become known to all of you. I am not talking next year, or in 6 months’ time, I am talking very, very soon,” President Akufo-Addo made this known at the weekend when he addressed a town hall meeting of Ghanaians resident in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the United States of America, as part of his visit to that country.

Commenting on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Hon. Oppong Nkrumah stressed that it is the desire of the Akufo-Addo government to make importers comfortable by reducing import duties as promised during campaign; adding that the exchange rate and the paperless system at the ports, as well as officials adding some charges to the duties, made the import business unbearable for the importers.

“And this government is not ‘yen tie obia’ [we won't listen to anyone government]; but this government is one that on every occasion will want to sit down to discuss or deliberate on issues and listen to the plight of Ghanaians and eventually resolve it”, he stated.

He explained that the Vice President Dr. Bawumia and the Economic Management Team, upon thorough investigation into the concerns raised by importers regarding high import duties, have come up with an opportunity to help Ghanaians importers.

“So the Economic Management Team which Dr. Bawumia is the Chairman have worked on the plight of importers in Ghana and Cabinet has worked on it and so in 3 days time, the Economic Management Team will come out to engage the public in a town hall meeting and the Vice President will explained in details what we are doing to help importers”, he indicated.