Protect local freight companies

Parliament should enact laws to protect local freight forwarding companies from entry by foreign companies in the industry, Mr. Carlos Ahenkorah, President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) has said.

The gradual entry of foreigners into the freight forwarding business, according to the association, threatens to put local freight forwarders out of work.

“If we allow these foreigners who handle the shipments outside in their country to also come here and meet the cargo and clear them to the warehouses of the importer, we have not done the Ghanaian freight forwarder any good,” Mr. Ahenkorah, said.

“Foreign companies are reaping all the benefits and repatriating their huge profits to the detriment of the Ghanaian economy, when local companies could increase their tax obligations to the state if they were given the right backing to control the industry,” he said.

A legislation, according to Mr. Ahenkorah, would empower the GIFF to check corrupt practices in the association’s line of work, as well as weed out unscrupulous operators.“Since the Institute is a registered professional body, there is need for legislation giving it the backing to regulate the activities of its members and the sector,” he said.

He said the sector should be reserved for local companies which have invested in the industry and have the capacity to handle the various operations in that business.

Mr. Michael Boampong, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Transport, asked that the Institute present its complaints and concerns formally to the Committee for them to be raised on the floor of the House when it resumes duty in October.

The GIFF in 2012 paid some GH¢505million as income tax and GH¢254million as Value Added Tax.