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Importers question clearance agents' integrity
Accra, Jan. 31, Ghanadot/GNA – A group of
importers has urged the government to streamline the
operations of clearing agents at the country's entry points
to stem alleged illegal activities.
The group recommended the creation of a “one-stop centre”
where the clearing agents would deal directly with custom
officials in the clearance of imported goods.
Madam Theresa Kesewaa, a spokeswoman for the importers told
the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Wednesday the one
stop-centre should operate as practiced in some European
countries where there were no clearing agencies and
importers only had to pay relevant taxes when their goods
were delivered.
She added that the agents allegedly demanded monies
astronomically higher than taxes paid to government.
"If an importer refuses to comply, his or her goods would
remain at the port until doomsday", she added.
She attributed the present high incidence of smuggling to
the alleged conduct of clearing agents, saying "Importers
will prefer to take a risk to avoid the payment of tax in
addition to the astronomically high charges of the clearing
agents”.
GNA
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