Cedi Appreciation Not Reflecting In Port Duties - Suame Spare Parts Dealers To President Mahama

Suame Magazine spare parts dealers in Kumasi say the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against the US dollar has failed to translate into any relief at the country’s ports. According to the traders, import duties remain unchanged despite the improved exchange rate, a situation they describe as frustrating and economically unsustainable.

Speaking to the media, Secretary of the Suame Magazine Spare Parts Dealers Association, Godfred Baffoe Bonnie, said the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has not adjusted port charges in line with the cedi’s gains, leaving traders to pay the same high fees as before. We were expecting our duties at the ports to reflect the massive appreciation of the cedi, but unfortunately, we are not seeing that,” Bonnie said.

“We are still paying the same amount, and this affects our ability to reduce prices for consumers.” The dealers are calling on President Mahama to fulfill his campaign promise of introducing a flat rate duty system, which they say would ensure fairer pricing and ease the cost of doing business. They also expressed concern over continued harassment by so-called taskforces on the roads, who they claim intimidate traders after goods have been cleared. The association wants government to implement the flat rate policy ahead of the upcoming budget, arguing that it would align with broader efforts to bring down prices and boost economic activity.