Lockdown: Used clothing dealers demand waiver of levies, demurrage on imports

The Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association (GUCDA), are demanding from government a total waiver of all demurrage and port rental charges on their imports which are currently locked up at the Tema port due to their inability to clear them as a result of the imposition of movement restrictions by government in the Greater Accra Region.

It is the contention of importers of used clothing that because they and their close working partners such as Offloaders, Suppliers and Buyers, are not part of essential workers who are exempted from the lockdown restriction, they are practically unable to clear their goods in order to sell or store them appropriately.

Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), Nana Poku, in an exclusive interview with Kasapafmonline.com noted that if government does not give urgent consideration to their demand, the businesses of importers of used clothing will completely collapse.

“The trading community is demanding total waiver of all demurrage charges and other nuisance charges that affect traders directly such as port rental charges. We kindly appeal and solicit for your (government) immediate intervention and support during these difficult times” Mr Poku said.

The used clothing dealers association is also requesting for an urgent meeting with the Chief of Staff at the office of the President, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, to afford them the opportunity to give further and better particulars to government as far as their challenges are concerned.