Business News of Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-07-18
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Business associations in the country have called for the immediate suspension of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) system.
The system, which took effect on the 1st of July was introduced by government to track all imports to Ghana to reduce revenue losses associated with under declaration of goods at the ports.
The business associations however say the system was implemented with minimal stake holder consultation which they believe will defeat government’s aim of its implementation and rather lead to a duplication of systems already in place.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng said until further stakeholder consultation is done, the business associations will not comply with the CTN policy.
“Government must meet with all relevant stakeholders to see the set goals for the benefit of all. In view of this, we will like to appeal to the president of the republic of Ghana, through the good offices of the economic management team to suspend the implementation until further deliberations are held with all relevant stakeholders in order to achieve the set goals for the benefit of all of us”, he stated.
He added that without proper stakeholder consultation, business associations will not accept any policy addition to the CTN.
“We therefore want to make our point here clear on this matter that, since the CTN is being introduced primarily for the purpose of valuation, we presume that it would have succeeded in solving the authenticity of transactional values, hence our resolve not to allow any usage of the so called benchmark value or any discretion on the part of the implementers”
Opposition to the CTN
Shortly after the introduction of the CTN, businesses at the ports expressed their displeasure and vowed to use all legal means to get it removed.
The freight forwarders, one of the groups against its introduction argued that the CTN is a duplication that will increase the cost of doing business.
They explained at the time that customs already has access to shipment information, hence no need for any new documentation.