2022 budget: Importers and Exporters Association threaten strike over new taxes

The Executive Secretary to the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Sampson Asaki Awingobet has warned government against the introduction of new taxes ahead of the 2022 budget reading.

The businessman who is displeased at the absurd increase in taxes over the past few years indicated that staff at the various ports and harbours in the country will embark on a nationwide strike if new taxes are introduced.

“If the government dares to introduce new taxes and removes the 50 percent benchmark value in the next budget reading, all of us at the Tema Harbour will embark on a strike action,” he declared in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show.

According to him, the huge taxes which in the long run are borne by the consumer has left the port full of uncleared goods, especially frozen foods ordered for the festive season. “We are in the Christmas season and we made orders for frozen products from September. Now that they have arrived the port is quiet and frozen food importers are begging people to come for the goods but no one is coming. Businesses is already at a standstill and if government dares introduce new taxes in the 2022 budget reading we will strike.”

Citing that freight charges before 2020 were as low as USD3,000, he disclosed these charges have now risen to as much as USD50,000 “and this is not fair to us.”

The 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government will now be presented before Parliament on November 17, 2021.

It had previously been scheduled for November 15, 2021, however the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, (Ind., Fomena) announced the date reversal on Wednesday and said the House will have other important events to attend to on November 15.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to present the budget. Last year the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu presented the budget while the Finance Minister was abroad to seek medical care.

According to the Finance Ministry, it is seeking inputs from the public and various bodies before the presentation. The presentation is in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and PFMA 2016 (Act 921).g inputs from the public and various bodies before the presentation. The presentation is in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and PFMA 2016 (Act 921).

---happyghana.com