The Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA); and the Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana, have thrown their weight behind the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) in their decision to demonstrate against the government over the planned implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN).

A statement jointly signed by Dr Joseph Obeng and Samson Asaki; President, GUTA; and Executive Secretary, Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, respectively, said: “Since the introduction of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), there have been a lot of controversies surrounding its implementation. Members of the Trading community petitioned the Economic Management Team headed by the Vice-President of the Republic, His Excellency Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and was suspended.

“Within a few weeks of the suspension, this same policy was reintroduced without taking into account the petition presented on the concerns of the business community.”

The statement added: “On Monday, 20 August 2018, representatives of the business community met with Deputy Minister of Finance, Kwaku Kwarteng and his team, where we raised all our concerns, objections and made some suggestions, as well as made our position clear that we will not allow the policy to be imposed on us without due regard or consideration for our input.

“Now, implementation of the policy is just a week away yet we have not had any response to our grievances from the government.

“While we are waiting for positive response and ready for constructive engagement within the period, we would like to declare our full support and total endorsement for the demonstration and withdrawal of service by the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) from Monday, 27 August 2018. Meanwhile, we advise all importers to halt shipment into the country from 1 September 2018 until issues on the CTN are resolved with the government.”