Extend date of benchmark policy reversal – Freight forwarders to government
After some confusion at the Tema Port over the reversal of the Benchmark policy, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders has waded into the situation by expressing its disagreement with the January 6th 2022 deferment of the policy.
The institute rather wants the implementation date to commence in March which will enable agents whose goods are on the high seas to dock and clear them before the policy takes effect.
Initially, the government’s plan was to commence the implementation of the policy on January 4, 2022, but that was deferred at the “last minute” to January 6 to allow the agents and importers with old stock to clear them.
According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, forty items have been listed to be affected.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, there was confusion at the Port of Tema’s long room with many people unaware of the directives and the subsequent deferment.
The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders was not enthused with the short notice.
Forwarder Mantey added that “You don’t spring this surprise on us . Inasmuch as we agree that local industries have to be protected, we were hoping for further engagement on this”.
“We are not happy at all. The country has lost a lot of revenue because of the confusion because many people refused to pay for the new charges. We think that a minimum of three months or more would not be too much to ask,” he stated.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
