A trader at Makola Market in Accra
Traders in Accra and other parts of the country have called for drastic reduction in taxes to help boost their operations.
Speaking to BUSINESS GUIDE over the weekend at the Central Business District of Accra, Maame Akua Kyerewaa, an importer, said the imposition of numerous taxes had negatively affected their businesses.
“We voted against the NDC administration in the just-ended polls because of this. Our appeal to members to the President and his ministers for a review of the numerous taxes and levies fell on deaf ears, and the economy of any country relies to a large extent on trade. When government made it clear that it was not interested in addressing our grievances, we had no option than to show it the exit.
“I believe the incoming administration will not disappoint us. We know the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its business-oriented policies and good economic management skills, and that is why we chose them this time,” she stated.
At Agbogbloshie, a market centre near Accra, another trader who deals in foodstuffs, Florence Ansaa, said traders were saddened each time there was an increase in the prices of petroleum products.
Nana Kwame Badu, a spare parts dealer at Abossey-Okai, also said the price of vehicle spare parts had to be increased periodically because of the exchange rate fluctuation.
He therefore expressed the hope that the new administration under president-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo would help reduce prices and inflation, among others.
Paa Joe Amoakwandah, a store owner at Teshie Tsui-bleoo, also said “people cannot spend money in recent times due to the harsh economic conditions, but we hope the situation would change.”
Cement manufacturers in the country have also called on government to check unbridled importation of cement into the country by Chinese importers and other neighbouring players who impede the growth of the industry.
By Samuel Boadi
samuel10gh@yahoo.com