Dr. Joseph Obeng (middle) addressing the media at the press conference
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has called on President Akufo-Addo to suspend the Container Tracking Note (CTN) which is being implemented by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Addressing the media on Tuesday in Accra, president of GUTA, Dr Joseph Obeng, said President Akufo-Addo, together with the Office of the Economic Management Team, ought to suspend the implementation to hold proper consultations with all relevant stakeholders to achieve the goals.
The CTN processes and supplies information on the global online platform.
According to Dr Obeng, the union would resist any experiment without their inputs to ensure the sustainability of their businesses.
“If these concerns of the trading public are not given the serious attention they deserve, it’s our resolve then not to accept the implementation,” he stated.
Foreign retailers
Dr. Obeng also appealed to security agencies and other stakeholders to assist in exposing illegal foreign retail businesses.
He said the failure of the authorities to act has emboldened the illegal foreign retailers to take over the retail sector which violates the laws of the country.
He added that all foreign missions in the country must ensure that their citizens comply with the laws on retail business in Ghana just like in other countries.
The union further gave July 27 as the deadline for foreign illegal retailers to register.
However, they reiterated that foreigners who want to indulge in the retail sector should be prepared to abide by all necessary regulations of the country.
National Identification Card
The union further commended the Akufo-Addo-led administration for the introduction of the National Identification System.
It appealed to politicians to refrain from politicising the important exercise.
He said the move by the president would ensure proper data collation to help distinguish between Ghanaians from non-citizens.
Noting that advanced countries had developed as a result of proper data collection, he urged the government to see to the full execution of the National Identification System.
By Ebenezer Gyamerah & Amanallah Tahiru