By Bernice Bessey
GHANA’S Mobile Phone and Accessories Dealers Association has appealed to government to consider the removal of the 20% import tariffs and 23% duty component slapped on mobile phones, as the move is killing local businesses and encouraging smuggling activities.
The government which is at the stage of preparing the 2014/2015 annual budget will do the association a great deal of good if considers appeal, the Chairman, Joseph Osei Agyeamang said.
“Not only will these but also mobile phone theft reoccur since unit price would be exorbitant,” he added
Mr. Agyeamang made the observation while addressing a press conference in Accra.
He noted that since the introduction of the taxes which sum up to 43% plus last year 2013, cost of doing business in the country was high, and it was making it difficult local enterprises to soar.
“We stated that shops will shut down because the high cost of doing business in the country,” he added.
As part of arrangement with government to consider their plea, the association has had meetings with the Minister of Communications, National Communication Authority and other stakeholders in the industry which yield no result.
“All these came to nut because it was an act of parliament. Haven not relents on our owls, we have petition the government through the Ministry of Finance to consider the withdrawal of the tariff,” the chairman beamed.
Mr. Agyeamang asserted the association call was not to escape from paying taxes towards building the nation, but for the government protect business and jobs that are becoming scares.
The mobile phone dealers also joined Ghana Union Traders’ Association (GUTA) to call on government to enforce the trade policy which allows only Ghanaians to venture into retail and petty trading.
According to the association the local market had been overtaken by foreigners who are prevented by the laws of the land not to part take in retail trade.
“We therefore appeal to government to enforce the laws to the latter to ensure that the bone meant for the dogs are not giving to the fowls,” he said.
He urged government to consider the use of the cedi in determining the tax component on imports at the ports.
African Eye News
