The President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association, GUTA Mr George Ofori on behalf of members of the Association has expressed grave dissatisfaction with some of the operational policies of the Customs Excise & Preventive Service, CEPS. The President of GUTA was of the view that as partners in development as well as stakeholders in revenue mobilization and major contributors in revenue generation, there was need for a much closer collaboration and better understanding between the two parties to ensure the desired results. He therefore reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to work together with CEPS to ensure the development of the nation. Mr George Ofori, raised these concerns in a presentation he made on behalf of the Association, during the celebration of International Customs Day held in Kumasi recently. The celebration was on the theme “Customs and Business: Improving Performance through Partnerships”. According to him the theme chosen for the occasion was timely and worth considering. “We must use this occasion to have a sober reflection on our activities over the last year as pragmatic steps to address some challenges if not all; as partners in trade facilitation, we will like to use this forum to re-echo some of the teething concerns of both Ghanaians at home and our colleagues abroad”, he said.

Some of the concerns he raised included, exorbitant duties charged on vehicles, confiscation and auction of goods at the port and different duties for the same goods from the same destination to different importers. The rest are payment of stipulated duties of goods in foreign currencies particularly dollars, re-evaluation of goods, Government’s over dependence of custom duties as a major source of revenue for the country and the too many collection of samples of goods for valuation as well as the unnecessary time wasting at scan point.

The President of GUTA after making the concerns of the Association known suggested some possible pragmatic measures to address the situation.

On exorbitant charges of duties, the President of GUTA was of the opinion that, Government should take a second look at the duties on imported goods especially vehicles and their spare parts, hardware, electrical fittings and the like. He said the implication is that if these duties are reduced, consumers will be able to save and re-invest in other productive sectors thereby creating more jobs.

Mr Ofori called for extension of the stipulated time for confiscation of goods at the port. He further proposed that importers should be given the opportunity to enter into a reasonable arrangement of duty payment terms, preferably in installment. He also called for the abrogation of the sale of confiscated goods and vehicles since it does not benefit the nation in anyway; it rather brings confusion, pain and tension to the system. “To say the least, if those goods are to be auctioned the affected importers should be given the first option in an open and transparent manner”, he stressed

On the issue of different duties for the same goods to the same destination, the President of GUTA, suggested that the valuation of goods should be transparent devoid of any under-dealings simply because, that had become the Association’s major source of frustration in the country. He suggested that proper co-ordination between Customs and the Destination Inspection Companies, DICs with regard to the contractual obligations be respected unconditionally.

“In other not to deny Government of its revenue and to ensure fair competition in the market place, the respective importers should be given a fair hearing as to real cost of their goods on their original invoices when the need arises” the GUTA President proposed.

He further proposed the setting up of Regional Complaint centres as well as quarterly educational or sensitisation meetings with traders. He said this way; Customs would be able to acquaint itself with the problems and frustrations of all importers than centralizing it in the capital city, Accra.

He re-affirmed that GUTA and its entire membership would continue to dialogue and seek Government’s support and assistance to create conducive business environment.

GUTA President, George K. Ofori From: Seth KRAMPAH

Business & Financial Times Kumasi