Members of the Trade Advocacy Group (TAGG) have highlighted high import duties, demurrage charges, taxes and limited access to credit as some of the major challenges confronting traders and importers in Ghana.
The concerns were raised during an engagement between the traders and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as part of his ongoing policy dialogue series.
The association, which represents traders, importers and other businesspeople, used the meeting to outline constraints affecting their operations and suggest areas for policy intervention.
According to Dr Bawumia, the traders cited what they described as high and arbitrary import duties, rising demurrage costs, expensive shop rentals, high taxes and difficulties in accessing credit.
He said the engagement was intended to give the business community an opportunity to directly discuss the challenges affecting their operations and contribute ideas towards improving the trading environment.
“I met with the Trade Advocacy Group, an association for traders, importers and business people, for a productive discussion on their current challenges and the future of trade and business in Ghana as part of my policy dialogue series,” he said.
Dr Bawumia said discussions also focused on possible policy measures to ease the difficulties confronting businesses, expand opportunities and support job creation.
He said the broader objective was to develop measures that could make it easier for businesses to operate and expand while strengthening Ghana’s position as a regional trading hub.
“The discussion was generally centred on policies that would solve these problems and make it easier to do business, expand opportunities, create jobs and position Ghana as a trade hub in the sub-region,” he said.
The engagement comes amid concerns from sections of the trading community over costs and delays associated with importing goods through Ghana’s ports.
Trader and importer groups have in recent weeks raised concerns over port congestion, shipping-related charges and delays in cargo clearance.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has, for instance, warned that prolonged delays at the ports could push some importers to consider alternative regional gateways, including the Port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire.
The TAGG engagement therefore provided an opportunity for the NPP flagbearer to hear directly from businesses operating within the trade and import sector as part of his policy consultation process.
