From all indications, it appears the Akufo-Addo government is hell-bent on pressing the self-destruct button politically, even before the next General Elections in 2020 considering its dogged determination to rollout the unpopular Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) policy; so says some business association groups.
According to these groups, aside the obvious insurmountable battle against the wanton sleazes and corruption incidents that have assailed the senses of Ghanaians for years, Kelni-GVG wahala, the goodwill and support the President and his government enjoyed when it took over is all but eroded, largely because of government’s actions or inactions, the arrogant posture of some appointees and the failure to fulfill promises made in opposition.
But the rollout of the CTN is what will bite the NPP hard in the not too distant future, they assert.
The Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) requires importers to provide real-time information on all consignments to Ghana to a global monitoring platform.
Criticisms against the introduction of the CTN in the form being advertised, with regards to revenue generation and trade facilitation notwithstanding, government contends it (CTN) will enable Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to close the information gap between Ghana Customs and trade partners, and ensure the correct classification and valuation of all imports.
This system, government believes, will prevent clearing agents and some importers from colluding to provide false invoices which leads to huge revenue losses to the state, estimated at some US$8 million monthly.
However, business association groups including the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Association of Custom House Agents of Ghana (ACHAG), Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana, the Custom Brokers Association of Ghana (CUBAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) and the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, have openly voiced out their objection to government's decision to effectuate the policy.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the umbrella body of traders in the country, also wants government to reconsider its decision or face their wrath.
Eventhough GUTA is against the implementation of the CTN, its front appears divided over the issue.
Peacefmonline is reliably informed that without the consent of the other executive members and stakeholders, two members of GUTA agreed to specific terms including the full implementation of the CTN on October 15.
The two executives, David Amoateng, a Deputy Public Relations Officer and Emmanuel Nana Opoku Acheampong, a Deputy General Secretary, have been suspended from engaging in further discussions on CTN until the matter is properly determined.
National Organizer for GUTA, Clement Boateng, who confirmed this in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on PeaceFM's "Kokrokoo" Morning Show, revealed that a similar policy was laid before Parliament under the erstwhile Mahama regime, but it was shot down due to certain anomalies that were discovered.
"We cannot prevent from talking, but on issue of the CTN, we say no so that we can all (collectively) lay our concerns before government," he stated.
Wondering why the current administration led by President Nana Akufo-Addo would implement the policy without giving ear to the concerns raised by GUTA and the other stakeholders, Clement Boateng told the host that it will cost a trader an additional US $200 to 500 to import goods from Europe and Asia which will impede trade.
"Who will bear such cost? Is it the trader or government? It hasn't be made clear yet", he stated.
He further noted that per regulations by the World Trade Organization, any measures which will threaten trade facilitation shouldn't be accepted or encouraged; hence the Association doesn't support the government's initiative in regulating cargoes at the port.
Clement Boateng claimed the CTN which commenced on Monday, October 15, 2018, "has no legal backing since it hasn't been laid before the Legislative House".
In a related development, President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng has expressed disgust over the CTN implementation saying "for us as traders, we do not subscribe to the implementation of the CTN. We are asking the Vice President and government to rethink their decision to implement the CTN else they will face our wrath".
Touching on the suspension of two of their executive members who held contrary opinions on the rollout of the CTN in an interview with Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he stated; "we are still in consultation with government but the public display of these two members on CTN does not make us united for a common cause."
In the face of this row, political watchers argue that though the reasons why the opposition wins and incumbent loses an election is but an art and science, the agitation emanating from all stables is indicative of the fact that retaining power in 2020 will be a difficult task for the NPP.
Background
The seven associations in the shipping business on Monday, August 27, 2018, threatened to shut down their operations at the country’s ports in protest against the implementation of the CTN system which was expected to have taken off on September 1, 2018.
The action was necessitated by what the businesses described as government’s failure to heed concerns on the policy which impedes trade facilitation.
But President Akufo-Addo’s interventions compelled the Associations to halt the intended strike and demonstration for further deliberations before the implementation.
The implementers therefore shifted the commencement date to October 16, 2018.
Lawsuit and agitations
Meanwhile, a freight forwarder, John Kwame Adu Jack has sued the GRA over the CTN policy.
Kwame Adu Jack wants the court to declare the planned implementation of the CTN illegal, and had also sought an injunction on the implementation of the system.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Ghana indeed will work again. A policy that will facilitate growth and development should be embraced by all. Our shipping business men should better explain themselves well to us or we consider them suspects...
The CTN is meant to eliminate middlemen whose activities increases the levies on imported goods. Those who feel CTN is not a good policy should re-think and stop the threats of driving NPP to opposition because they are few and corrupt.
Ghanaians, please let's try to accept changes. I know it is not easy but we should not support some few rich people who intend is to take the country for themselves and their families. Ghana needs money to bring development to all of us. Even in Japan 3 year ago the value-added tax was 5% the current government increase to 8% and the Prime Minister just announced that by next year it will move to 10%. The question is does a developed country need money from the citizens? yes, the idea is to get money for social welfare by taking care of aging citizens and others. If Rich Country Japan is taxing high for such policies, why not Ghana? Let us stop politic and support good policies that Nana and his government are introducing. sometimes it seems to me that there are not good politicians in the opposition parties, but rather greedy guys that are thinking about the family and the present. They don't have the future of Ghana at hand.
Really folks I am struggling (just as they are) to find JUST ONE tangible reason why these groups are opposed to the CTN....indeed the greedy Ghanaian merchants are the cause of so many unwarranted hardships among Ghanaians....always want to make 100%, 200% ,300% profit,,,why?????
IF AKKUFO ADDO CANNOT CHANGE THE PREVIOUS CONDITIONS TO DO THINGS RIGHT TO MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, THEN WHAT WAS THE USE TO CHANGE MAHAMA ANDC GOVERNMENT. I DON'T THINK DOING THINGS RIGHT WILL CAUSE AKUFFO ADDO AND HIS PARTY TO LOOSE. RATHER IT IS IS MAINTAINING AND REAPEATION THE CORRUPTION OF MAHAMA AND HIS NDC THAT CAN CAUSE NPP TO LOOSE.
THOSE WHO ARE RESISTING THE SYSTEM ARE THE ONES THAT ARE DUMPING THE NATION. WHY IS IT THAT IN AFRICA PEOPLE DONT WANT TO CHANGE FROM THEIR CORRUPT PRACTICES? YES, BY THEIR ATTITUDE YE SHALL KNOW THEM.
Agogo you sound very st*upid and tramadol addicted ! do you understand yourself? Akufo Addo don't lack for him to steal dollars what is dollars to him? you think everyone is as greedy and wanting like John mahama? the deadg*oat ? You people must respect and know some people were rich before you were born. I think abortion must be legalized to avoid so many f000**00ls being born in Ghana, governments must look into that so women with no husbands and rape victims pregnancies aborted, we need responsible children to be responsible adults in Ghana. So many people comment with ign*orance and hate from home because of stress and depression due to no proper care and supervision.
Nana Addo and his cabinet are the biggest hypocrites i have ever come across. They act as if they are combating the issues but they always have an axe to grind. They have ulterior motives that either benefits them or enhance their chances in the next election. They are also very corrupt. They steal dollars
There are people in this our Country Ghana who left to them alone the country would remain where it is no mater what with no developments. So because of opposition the country should not be developed, oh Ghana because opposition the country should not move forward. Whether we like it or not Nana Addo is a very bold leader and would not mind taking bold decisions which will be beneficial to the future generations.We should stop our hypocracy and allow Nana and NPP to develop the nation us. NDC unlike NPP are not bold to initiate bold decisions cos they are ***barred word*** and fear they may go to opposition when they take bold decisions. NDC will be in opposition until thy kingdom come. John Mahama will never become president again. Ghanaians have seen and known him for his incompetency.