Former Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Joseph Yammin has said the recent cuts of some 50% and 30% off the benchmark values of general imports and cars respectively is only to divert the attention of Ghanaians from the recent erratic power situation.
He said there was no need for government to rush with the policy because, directives of such nature require parliamentary approval, but it is surprising that government shunned that obligation and went straight ahead to effect changes at the ports.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Wednesday, 3 April during his maiden Town Hall meeting announced that the benchmark value of imports has been reduced by 50 per cent.
Import duties on cars have also been cut by 30 per cent.
Dr Bawumia said these reforms are part of measures to deal with smuggling at the various entry points into the country as well as assist businesses in Ghana.
“To reduce the incidence of smuggling and enhance revenue, the benchmark delivery value of imports will be reduced by 50 per cent,” Dr Bawumia said at a town hall meeting in Accra.
But the Former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports who was speaking on Kumasi-based Angel FM urged
Ghanaians to be focused on the reality of their economic situation and not allow government to divert their attention with such scam initiatives.
In his view, the announcement of reduction was a way of swaying them from the consequence of current power challenges the country is faced with.
