Bawumia engages traders over import duties, taxes and rising cost of doing business

Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for the 2028 elections, Mahamudu Bawumia, has engaged traders and importers over rising business costs and other challenges affecting the trading sector.

The meeting, held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, was with the Trade Advocacy Group, an association of traders, importers and businesspeople, and formed part of Bawumia’s ongoing policy dialogue series.

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The traders raised concerns over what they described as high and arbitrary import duties, rising demurrage costs, expensive shop rentals, high taxes and difficulties in accessing credit.

According to Bawumia, the concerns formed an important part of discussions on possible policies to improve the business environment and create more opportunities for businesses to grow.

“I met with the Trade Advocacy Group, an association for traders, importers and business people, for a productive discussion on their current challenges and the future of trade and business in Ghana as part of my policy dialogue series.

“They enumerated various challenges such as high and arbitrary import duties, high cost of demurrage, high cost of renting shops, high taxes and access to credits,” Bawumia wrote.

He said the discussions also focused on measures to reduce some of the difficulties faced by businesses and create conditions for traders to expand their operations.

“The discussion was generally centred on policies that would solve these problems and make it easier to do business, expand opportunities, create jobs and position Ghana as a trade hub in the sub-region,” he said in a social media post.

The engagement comes as traders and importers continue to raise concerns over port-related costs, with industry groups warning that delays and congestion can increase demurrage and other expenses for businesses.

Bawumia expressed appreciation to the Trade Advocacy Group for participating in the meeting and sharing proposals on how the challenges confronting businesses could be addressed.

“My thanks to the Trade Advocacy Group for their attendance at the meeting and many of the ideas they put on the table,” he added.

ANAS/MA

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