The Vice President of the Association of Customs Housing Agents Ghana, Philip Badu Mensah, is advocating for the removal of outdated taxes and levies at the country’s ports. He asserts that these taxes are burdening Ghanaian importers and hindering efficiency and competitiveness in port operations.
In a recent interview with Joy Business, Mr. Mensah highlighted three specific taxes that he believes should be abolished. First, he mentioned the state warehouse rent, which he argued is no longer applicable as goods are handled by private operators, not the state. He emphasized that this tax dates back to a time before containerization and should be discontinued.
Secondly, Mr. Mensah addressed interest charges, stating that importers in the past were provided with funds to purchase goods, and interest was incurred if the goods were not cleared promptly. However, this practice is outdated, as importers no longer receive financial assistance. He urged authorities to revisit this tax and consider its relevance in the current business landscape.
Lastly, Mr. Mensah raised concerns about the Covid-19 levy, implemented in 2021, and suggested that it should be discontinued due to its prolonged duration. He emphasized the need for policymakers to remove these outmoded taxes to reduce the cost of doing business at the ports.
Mr. Mensah stressed the negative impact of these taxes on businesses, stating that they make it challenging for Ghana to compete with other ports in the sub-region. He emphasized that eliminating these outdated taxes would enhance the ease of doing business at the ports and improve competitiveness within the regional trade landscape.
By advocating for the removal of these taxes, Mr. Mensah aims to streamline port operations, reduce operating costs for businesses, and strengthen Ghana’s position as a competitive player in the regional trade sector.
