Bawumia engages traders over high import duties, demurrage and access to credit

Trade and business policies that reduce the cost of doing business in Ghana formed the focus of a meeting between former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the Trade Advocacy Group. The association, which brings together traders, importers and business people, presented a range of concerns it believes are limiting the growth of businesses. These included the cost of importing goods, demurrage charges at the ports, shop rents, taxes and difficulties in accessing credit.

The discussions explored possible policy responses to the challenges, with emphasis on creating conditions that would allow businesses to expand, generate more jobs and take advantage of opportunities within Ghana and the wider sub-region. The issue of port-related costs has also featured prominently in recent concerns from importers. Industry groups have warned that delays at Ghana’s ports are increasing cargo dwell time, storage and demurrage liabilities, while the government has announced measures aimed at reducing some demurrage costs arising from port delays.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said the engagement formed part of his policy dialogue series, through which he is gathering views from different groups on challenges affecting the economy and possible policy solutions. He said the discussions were intended to inform policies that would make it easier to do business, widen economic opportunities and strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional trading hub. Dr Bawumia thanked the Trade Advocacy Group for taking part in the meeting and for the ideas it put forward during the discussions.

Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2028 presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has engaged traders, importers and other business operators as part of his ongoing policy dialogue series. The meeting with the Trade Advocacy Group focused on some of the difficulties confronting businesses, including what the group described as high and arbitrary import duties, rising demurrage charges, expensive shop rentals and high taxes. Access to credit also emerged as one of the concerns raised by the association, with discussions centred on how policy interventions could ease the financial pressures facing traders and create a more conducive environment for businesses to operate.

The engagement comes amid broader concerns from importers over rising costs and delays within Ghana’s port system. The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana recently warned that persistent congestion and delays could increase storage and demurrage costs and affect the competitiveness of Ghana’s trade gateway. Dr Bawumia said the discussions were aimed at identifying practical policy measures that could make it easier for businesses to operate, expand their activities and create employment opportunities.

He said the broader objective was to position Ghana as a trade hub in the sub-region while improving the conditions under which traders and businesses operate. The former Vice President expressed appreciation to the Trade Advocacy Group for participating in the engagement and for the proposals presented during the discussions.