HASSAN AYARIGA ‘DUTY FREE PORT’ TO GUTA

Report by Ben LARYEA
The flag bearer of the All People's Congress (APC) has assured the executives of the Ghana Union Traders Association
(GUTA) of duty free Port when elected as President on January 7th 2025.
At an encounter with GUTA members in Accra, he said duties at the Ghanaian Port are the highest in the whole world, which
is having a negative impact on business transactions in the country.
According to him, the over 25% import duties at the Port have driven businessmen and women to Togo and other countries,
where they have free Port, saying the move has led to the government losing a chunk of revenue at the Port.
Dr. Hassan Ayariga lamented the high cost of goods and commodities in Ghana is as result of the excessive monies being
collected at the Port.
He disclosed that under his leadership as a President, importers will have to pay 5% duties at the Port and will be in Ghana
cedi, Port charges, shipping charges, Tax Revenue, income taxes, levy among others.
Dr. Joseph Obeng,President of the Ghana Union Traders Association, welcomed the free Port Policy by Dr. Hassan Ayariga
as game changer for the trading sector.
According to him, the policy will allow trading community to do projections on the goods they are importing into the country.
He added that the flat rate system will help reduce corruption at the port, and the government can use it as a catalyst to
generate revenue.
Dr. Joseph Obeng used the occasion to call on all flag bearers in the December 7th general election to come and sign a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GUTA to demonstrate their commitment with their policies at the ports.