The Automobile Dealers Union of Ghana has welcomed of the opposition National Democratic Congress’ manifesto promise of scrapping the Customs (Amendment) Act when elected into power.
The law to ban the importation of accident and salvaged motor vehicles, which is expected to take effect this month, was met with hostile reaction from the Union as members believe the formulation of this law will render them out of business.
In an interview with Alfred Ocansey on 3FM‘s Sunrise Thursday, September 10, the General Secretary of the Union, Clifford Anso, indicated that several interactions with leaders of the ruling party on the anticipated effect of the Act on their business have proved futile.
“We have met with sector minister, Minister of Trade, Alan Kyerematen, and the issue of the review came up, and we indicated our position on the law to them and wanted an amendment but it appears government has decided not to do anything about the amendments.”
However, as part of his campaign message, former president John Dramani Mahama, has promised to review the Customs Amendment Act.
This promise was described by the Dealers as “good news”.
“The present government only keeps giving us promises which we believe are not going to materialize anytime soon. So if another person says he’d work in our favour when given the opportunity, inasmuch as it is a manifesto promise as at now, it is good news for us dealers,” he said.
But Co-chair of the Abossey Spare Dealers has exclusively revealed to Alfred Ocansey that government has suspended the implementation on the ban of the importation of salvaged and accidents cars.
This, according to Clement Boateng, was a decision taken at the last meeting government had with implementers and also stakeholders in the industry.
He explained that the implementers including the Ghana Standards Authority were involved in the meeting to assure the general public and importers that the Act that is supposed to take effect from next week will not take effect again.
“At the meeting, it was made clear that the implementation has been put on hold, and that we are at liberty to carry out with our duty which is why the implementers were made part of the meeting to assure us,” he said.
By Mounkeila Hassane Abdoul-Razak|3news.com|Ghana