A group of Ghanaian shippers based in the United States of America are gearing up to stage a demonstration against the Mills administration over what they see as a “lukewarm attitude” by the authorities towards their constant complaints about the ill treatment meted out to them at the nation’s ports.
The complaints include unbearable import duties, arbitrary charges, “inescapable exploitation” by CEPS officials, and irritating delay in clearing goods at the ports.
According to the Spokesperson of the group, Nana Attah Boamah, the demonstration which takes place in June will be patronized by hundreds of disappointed Ghanaian shippers in U.S.
“We are mobilizing ourselves to hit the streets because we are particularly disappointed by the lukewarm attitude of Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ghana’s Ambassador to U.S, towards the several requests we have sent to him to initiate moves for the Mills government to do something about the situation.”
Speaking to this reporter from his base in New Jersey, U.S, Nana Boamah complained bitterly about “arbitrary charges and gross exploitation” by officials of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), adding “it has now virtually become a crime to send anything home, whether it is for charity or family use,”
He explained that the situation had made it very unattractive for many Ghanaians abroad to send anything home to support both their families and communities.
“For instance, there are many people out here who have been able to mobilize several items such as mattresses and beds which they want to donate to hospitals back at home, but because of the bad treatment at the ports they are unable to bring them, and the authorities look on unconcerned,” Nana Boamah lamented.
Accusing the nation’s leadership of insensitivity towards the plight of the suffering masses, Nana Boamah called on Parliament to cause changes to be effected in the tax regulations to lower the tax obligations on importers, and explore other areas of raising money for development.
“I expect government, for example, to give serious consideration to property tax, which is a major source of revenue in many countries. In Ghana, some people have many buildings but at the end of the day they end up paying virtually nothing. This is one such area government should focus,” he recommended.
Nana Boamah further called on President Mills to be up and doing, and ensure that his officials deliver the goods to bring relief to the people in all facets of their lives, stressing “we want to feel the changes we were promised under the Better Ghana Agenda of the Mills government.”
