The Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has vowed to align Ghana’s import duties with those of Togo once he takes office.
He mentioned that the Lome port presents a major issue for Ghana due to its lower tariffs, causing importers to redirect their traffic.
This plan aims to reduce the ongoing smuggling and redirection of imported goods to neighboring ports, which has been depriving the country of millions of cedis needed for swift development.
During his interaction with religious leaders at the start of his two-day tour of the Central Region, Dr. Bawumia stated, “The Tema port will undergo full automation.”
“We are introducing a new import duty policy that will align with the duties at the Tema port with those at the Lomé Port. This policy will benefit our business community by eliminating the need for smuggling.”
He added, “Ghanaian ports will not impose higher duties than those at the Lomé port. This is our stance; we will maintain equal duties as they are our competitors.”
Dr. Bawumia highlighted a significant advancement in Ghana’s history, where consumers can now easily buy electricity units from their homes or anywhere without needing to queue at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) offices.
He stressed the government’s introduction of transformative policies, including the issuance of digital national ID cards and the pioneering Mobile Money interoperability between telecommunications companies and banks in Ghana.
These measures have made Ghana the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa.
Dr. Bawumia also detailed his plan to stabilize the local currency and ensure exchange rate stability through the Bank of Ghana’s gold-purchasing policy, emphasizing the importance of price predictability for businesses.
He affirmed, “My government will adopt a business-centric approach to enhance Ghana’s standing as one of the most business-friendly economies globally.”
The NPP flagbearer also revealed the government’s plan to launch a Credit-Scoring System for entrepreneurs and individuals by June this year. This system aims to reduce interest rates on loans, especially for borrowers with a strong repayment history.
He encouraged the religious leaders to support and vote for him to guide the nation towards progress.