An economist and head of the finance department of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor John Gatsi has raised issues with government's decision to reduce the benchmark values for all imports and the subsequent announcement that the changes takes effect from Thursday April 4, 2019.
According to Prof Gatsi, there was no law that permits government to declare a reduction in port charges without Parliamentary approval.
He has subsequently called for a clarification on the move which was announced by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Wednesday at a maiden town hall meeting organised by the Economic Management Team.
“There is no law that grants the Vice President the power to make such announcements, he will have to go to parliament and seek approval and show the House the impact of how that change can have on revenue mobilization for the country,” Prof Gatsi stated in a radio interview with Accra based Starr FM on Thursday.
“All those levies have been approved by parliament and they have been captured in law. And there is nowhere in our laws that gives power to the Vice president to go and reduce duties and thereafter say that the implementation starts the following day,” he added.
To him, the announcement that the charges takes effect today (Thursday) may not materialise because of the various stages that must be satisfied before implementation.
Contributing to the discussions on the radio station, the spokesperson of the Vice President Dr. Gideon Boako said the Economic Management Team has already engaged the relevant stakeholders over the reduction in the import charges.
He said the government is seeking to reduce the burden on importers.
“Nobody should assume this government does not know what it is about. There is no way gov’t will announce such reduction without engaging the GRA”, he added
Source: graphic.com.gh
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Gatsi you dont understand the thing. dont embarrass your self.
This guy embarrasses his employer which is my employer too. But any wonder? No! NDC is considering him to be running mate so he wants to say anything to please them. Don’t forget that his PhD is also fake; from Central Nicaragua University; they awarded him DBA and PhD within 2 years. His articles are in predatory journals. Gatsi is ***barred word*** up.
Prof, sorry, but I disagree with your poor thinking and understanding of what Dr Bawumia said yesterday. What you should understand is that benchmarks are not parliamentary approved taxes or rates such as income tax or import duties. They are just averagely determined rates set by GRA from which parliamentary approved rates are taken. For example, GRA can set a benchmark of 10000 dollars as the price for a 4 year old used Toyota Corolla. it is from this benchmark which importers will pay the parliamentary approved rate for say 15% as import duty. The current government is headed by very wise and smart people, which is why they did not touch the rates set by parliament but the benchmarks set by GRA. If you listened carefully you would have noted that it was mentioned at the programme that subject to parliamentary approval, other rates and taxes would be abolished or reduced.
Shame on you Professor, politics has blinded your thinking cap.
Kokompe Prof. Tweaa eyi ara. apuu.353
Who is this MISLEADING EVIL man? Did this guy do to school? Did he hear BENCH MARK VALUES or IMPORT DUTIES? Shame of all so-called Dr.s who wear NDC shirts beneath. 'Onyame ahu moooooo!'
Was the benchmark values sent to parliament for approval? I don't think so. These are market prices GRA through their surveys use from time to time. This is man who has been penciled for the NDC VP position. I don't think he has what it takes.
Paul don't mind this so called Prof. As usual he is doing politics. In Ghana, do parliament set prices for or approve of prices of goods and services? When electricity or water price are announce in Ghana, do PURC consult parliament. You guys are making cheap of the academia because of hate and politics.
bawumia has disgraced n,d,c forever, ghana people will keep n,d,c in opposition for ever and eternity gh pp
Prof you should first ask if the benchmark value was approved by parliament before it was implemented. Sometimes people in the academia should know better. I dont want to go further but ........