Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Trade and Industry Nasir Ahmed Yartey says it is near impossible for Ghana to unilaterally stay away from implementing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) external tariff meant to streamline the tax slapped on imported goods in member countries.
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“A lot of consultation went in before the tariffs were agreed upon so an outright suspension is out of the question†he stated.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) contend Ghana’s burdening taxes which have led to massive lay-off of workers and closure of many businesses is hurtful to the economy so to have the ECOWAS tax in addition to the draconian homemade ones can only spell doom for business in the country hence its call for an outright suspension.
However Mr. Yartey says there is sound reasoning behind the ECOWAS external tariff as it seeks to deter countries outside ECOWAS from dumping their goods in member countries.
For lecturer John Gatsi, there is need for circumspection as a respectable nation like Ghana cannot just opt out from agreed terms because of opposition.
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He stated increasing demands on the government and strikes in an election year can lead to an over-run of the budget. Â