Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has expressed surprise at the multiple levies and taxes imposed on imported vehicles at the port.
Addressing members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in Accra, the former president, however, lashed out at the traders’ union for not joining the NDC minority to speak to voice their concerns about the nature of the economy under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, especially in 2019.
That notwithstanding, former President Mahama spoke specifically about the importation of vehicles and the excessive taxes importers have to deal with.
“[A friend brought] a car and I was just looking at the charges. This is a 2023 Lexus, these are the charges; 20% import duty, after that import VAT, then processing fees, then ECOWAS levy, then vehicle examination fee, then network charges, then network charge VAT, then network charge COVID,” the former President read out the tax handles from his cellphone to the members of GUTA.
“I am shocked,” said Mr. Mahama.
He continued, “Then Ghana Shippers Authority, then import NHIL, then network charge NHIL, then GHS disinfection fee, then MOTI import declaration fee, special import levy, Ghana export import bank levy, Ghana Education trust fund, Ghana education trust fund network charge, African Union import levy, then COVID health recovery levy, then certification, then IRS 2021.”
