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Trade Ministry Presses Ahead With G-CAP

By Daily Guide
Business & Finance Trade Ministry Presses Ahead With G-CAP
JAN 27, 2015 LISTEN

The Ministry of Trade has noted it will go ahead with the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme (G-CAP) despite resistance from businesses.

The programme, championed by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), will result in goods imported into the country being subjected to strict inspection at their original destination.

G-CAP is intended to curb the importation of substandard into the country.

The initiative was expected to be introduced last year but was suspended due to stiff opposition from stakeholders.

Deputy Trade Minister, Kweku Rickets Hagan, however said the Ministry had concluded the necessary engagements and the programme will take off soon.

He insisted that the Ministry had taken note of all concerns and that proper consultation and education had been conducted.

'Now all these things have been looked at and I know that very soon it will happen and will happen in earnest.

When asked about the concerns of businesses, which use the ports over double taxation, Mr Hagan explained that a team has been put in place to look into any complications and difficulties that may arise.

'All the concerns that people have raised about double taxation and double expenses will be addressed,' he said, adding that 'it doesn't make sense for us to be duplicating things that have already been done.'

Importers, however, argued that if Government goes ahead the programme it will lead to the collapse of more businesses and industries in the country.

Speaking on behalf of importers and exporters, John Awuni stated that no good would come out of the GCAP.

The G-CAP, he said, will be a major cost to businesses and has already been proven detrimental in other countries.

He described the G-CAP as a 'great danger' and added that 'the Ministry of Trade must not accede to the pressure from the Ghana Standards Authority which is looking at ways of raising revenue against the interest of the business community.'

The private sector is the engine of growth in any economy but that as it stands now, Ghana does not currently support the necessary factors which would promote good business, he indicated.

- Myjoyonline

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