The General Secretary of the Automobile Dealers Union of Ghana, Clifford Anso has expressed his excitement over the opposition National Democratic Congress’ manifesto pledge of scrapping the Customs Act when elected into power.
According to the Union, after several discussions on the matter with the incumbent party on the diagnosed impact of the Act on businesses, it had yielded no results.
“The present government only keeps giving us promises which we believe are not going to materialize anytime soon. So, if another person says he’d work in our favor when given the opportunity, in as much as it is a manifesto promise as at now, it is good news for us dealers”.
Commenting on the ability of the NDC government to redeem their vow on the Act, Mr. Anso was hopeful that Nana Addo’s ability to deliver the free SHS was proof that political parties had the means to deliver on their promises when given the chance.
“We believe any government should be able to deliver upon their promises. Just like President Akufo-Addo did in 2016 with the Free SHS promise, we trust John Mahama to produce results parallel to his promises”.
The Customs Amendment Act 2020 among other things, provides incentives for automobile manufacturers and assemblers registered under the Ghana Automotive Manufacturers Programme and prohibits the importation of salvaged motor vehicles and cars over ten years of age into the country.
The law, which is expected to take effect next month, bars the importation of accident and salvaged motor vehicles into the country.
This move was met with hostile reactions from the Union members as they believe that the enactment of this law will render them out of business.
As part of his campaign message, former president John Dramani Mahama, promised to review the Customs Amendment Act in his address on Monday, 7,2020 at the launch of the party’s manifesto. This promise was gladly welcomed by the Dealers as “good news”.
Explaining the rationale for the withdrawal, Mr. Mahama indicated it is to ensure Ghanaians whose livelihoods depend on that sector of the economy continue to enjoy decent lives and revenues.
“We will review the Customs Amendment Act 2020 (Act 1014) to scrap the law banning the importation of salvage vehicles and the proposed implementation of a 35 per cent import duty rate. We are going to scrap it in order that salvaged cars are not banned and top duty rate government intends to impose on these vehicles does not happen. This is to safeguard the local automobile industry so that our people in Suame Magazine, Abossey Okai, Komkompe to continue to work to earn a decent living”.
