Gov’t has not increased import duties, ignore contrary claims – GSA

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has asked the public to disregard a news item attributed to the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, claiming that import duties have been increased.

According to the Authority, the claims are not true.

It explains that only Parliament has the power to impose charges which then become legally enforceable.

According to Prof Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the GSA, Parliament approved new fees and charges that the GSA has to collect for the “delivery of goods and services to the public”.

Implementation of this was delayed by the GSA due to several factors including the Covid-19 pandemic. The GSA has thus notified the general public including all importers and exporters of its intention to level the Parliamentary approved fees effective 1st January 2021.

The Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority also revealed that the fees and charges for several goods and services offered by the GSA have been kept unchanged by the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Instrument 2019.

He further reiterated the determination to support the government in improving the ease of doing business in Ghana.

“We are committed to assisting businesses to grow, so we will not do anything to deviate from this goal”, he said and reaffirmed the GSA’s focus on their mission “to contribute towards the growth of the industry, protect consumers and facilitate trade through standards, metrology and conformity assessment”.

On the GSA’s plans, Prof Dodoo stated: “We are on track to become a customer-focused world-class standards organization and 2021 will be a year of enforcement and engagement”. He, therefore, encouraged Ghanaians to support the Authority as it rigorously enforces its mandate and applies the necessary sanctions to ensure that goods and services in Ghana are of the best attainable standards and quality.”

The GSA boss added, “as part of our continued commitment of protecting customers and promoting trade, we will engage stakeholders in the national interest and make our presence felt across the length and breadth of the country, in all 16 Regions, and in all sectors.

About Ghana Standard Authority

GSA is the government agency responsible for developing, publishing, and promoting standards in the country.

It was established by the Standards Decree, 1973 (NRCD 173) and is also the National Conformity Assessment body. It ensures this through the activities of Testing, Inspection, and Certification.