Outspoken New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central in the Central Region, Kennedy Agyapong, is not happy with the government over the increasing port charges.
Mr Agyapong, who claims has been a victim of high port duties, has advised his government to put in stringent measures to arrest what he says are skyrocketing import duties, most of which he believes are illegal.
“I have someone working on a project for me at the port. I have imported some air conditioners. I was shown an invoice of USD22,000 for all the air conditioners but I was shocked I have to pay an amount of USD25,000 in port duties.”
“I was like really? What is going on in Ghana? You charge so much on common air-conditioners. I am very upset and still can’t understand why I have to pay that much. The government should immediately do something about this,” he lamented.
Though the government had said in its budget to Parliament that it had scrapped an existing one per cent special import levy and some additional seven taxes, it appears it is yet to impact on port charges.
The Assin Central MP made these observations on Adom TV in Accra.
According to him, the situation at the ports could cripple local businesses if care was not taken.
He indicated that if the issue was not resolved quickly, it has the potential of sending the NPP back into opposition.
“People can no longer take this exorbitant import duty anymore. This import duty system is a mess.”
“Dr Bawumia and the finance minister should work with the GRA boss to address the issue,” he urged.
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