President Akufo-Addo has recently directed the Customs Division of the GRA to pull the breaks on the implementation of the reversal of 50% discounts on benchmark values to create more room for broader stakeholder consultations on the subject.
The decision is also to enable the concerns of traders to be adequately heard, before a final decision is taken on the matter.
Speaking to Mr Benjamin Yeboah, Director Of Welfare for Ghana Union Of Traders Association (GUTA) in an interview with Kwaku Mensah Abrampa on program dubbed Adwenkyere Tuesday evening on Gye Nyame FM on the above subject Matter, he pleaded with the government to completely rescind the decision of reversing the benchmark discount to help them carry out their operations and businesses with less stress.
He stressed that, GUTA and other importers requested for government support couple of years ago due to High cost of import duties at the ports. Therefore, the 50% discount has been a big relieve especially because of the negative impact of the novel Covid 19 on the Ghanaian economy which also affected individual financial status.
He emphasized that, the reversal of the 50% discount on benchmark is not the answer to helping the local industries hence government should continue to maintain the discount after consultations to help the Traders Association bear part of their costs at the ports.
Mr Martin Opoku, who is a labour Expect speaking on the various strike Actions in the country advised the parties involve in the industrial actions to come on board to solve issues together.
He advised the employers (government) and owners of private companies to work in accordance with the conditions of service tabled for their employees to create peaceful atmosphere for work in the country and to prevent the numerous strikes and future industrial actions.