GUTA cautions Government on plans to CRIPPLE Businesses in the Ashanti Region
According to the Regional Secretary, Daniel Owoahene Acheampong, GUTA through interrogations and consultation have identified well-concocted and tailored plan by customs officials to cripple businesses in the Ashanti Region.
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The parent body of all sector association, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) on Tuesday morning, October 15, 2019 addressed countless reports from its members from continuing harassment meted out to them by custom officials in the Ashanti Region.
According to the Regional Secretary, Daniel Owoahene Acheampong, GUTA through interrogations and consultation have identified well-concocted and tailored plan by customs officials to cripple businesses in the Ashanti Region. Referring from the press statement issued by the Association, Mr. Owoahene disclosed that the Ministry of finance has directed officials to embark on a special exercise on their premise with an idea that GUTA in the Ashanti Region contribute only 3% of tax, the lowest as been compared to Techiman in the Bono East Region.
He revealed that goods brought from the various entry ports to the Ashanti Region are accounted yet all consignment are re-examined regardless of their documentation. He spoke that consignments are sometimes ceased for compensation.
“These goods are offloaded at customs yard under the mercy of the weather and unreasonable losses are incurred to the detriment of the ordinary trade,” he read.
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The issue of post clearance audit was also protested as an unfair treatment towards traders in the Region hence the press conference to seek explanations from the state institutions and government.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of GUTA, Anthony Oppong revealed that an ultimatum of two weeks has been set for enlightenment on the disturbing matters affecting traders in else GUTA will have no option than to demonstrate against the government.
“Foreign traders have taken over our business in an unfriendly manner. We have been trying to resolve this issue for 20 years now yet the government seem unconcerned with our petitions, which led to the closure of their shops. The President assured to settle the issue yet we have heard nothing from him. We have given the various adminstrators an ultimatum of two weeks to respond else we will hold a demonstration,” he said.
Members of GUTA expressed dissatisfaction on the President’s stillness on matters of concern affecting them. They apportioned the blame to the various partisan leaders in the Region and called for measures to be employed in order to fight the deliberate attempt to cripple businesses.
“We do not understand why the foreigners who are supposed to pay enough tax are rather avoided at the various check points whiles we suffer. Their goods are patronized much because of lesser prices for the reason that they did not pay much levy. If the government refuse to take no action towards these upsets, we will also make sure that our vote decide next year,” a GUTA member passionately spoke.
