The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana is warning of a rift between freight forwarders and their clients if the challenges with the implementation of the reversal of the reduction in benchmark values policy as witnessed yesterday continue.

The government’s reversal of the 50% discount in the benchmark values of some imported goods and 30% discount in the benchmark values of the imported vehicles, was expected to take effect on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

But a visit to the ports showed that the system to facilitate the payment of duties was down causing worry amongst importers and freight forwarders.

In an interview with Citi Business News, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Samson Asaki Awingobit called for a suspension of the new policy decision.

“Persons who realized the reduction in the benchmark values was going to be reversed, went ahead to process their documents, ready to pay their duties. Now based on the system challenges associated with the implementation of the reversal they brought the whole port to a standstill. There is likely to be confusion breaking out between agents and their client importers.”

“Because if I had pushed my agent to process ahead of time and I’ve sent money for payment of duties based on the discounted benchmarks, and he comes later to tell me we need to pay more, then, of course, there will be an issue. I think the government needs to rescind its decision regarding the reversal,” he added.