A Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Seyram Kawor, says government should cut down import duties to stabilise market prices for citizens.
According to him, certain taxes like port charges, paid by importers, are needless.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, Dr. Kawor advised the government to establish a specific exchange rate at the port to ensure stability in the pricing of services at the port.
“We can go ahead and put a specific exchange rate at the port that for the period of six months this is the rate at which we are taking. Not rate changing almost every day. When you do that the business person is able to plan and they will know the prices they are able to charge on the market.
“The ordinary Ghanaian would be able to plan and know how much I am going to buy the items in the market. At that point in time, after that when they want to go and buy things, they can then use the real exchange rate on the market. In that way you are cushioning them over time,” he said.
Dr. Seyram emphasised that when the government provides tax incentives for locally manufactured goods, these reductions should be evident in market prices.
He argued that attributing the high prices of goods solely to the exchange rate oversimplifies the situation, urging the government to engage with importers to understand the complexities involved in pricing.
“Have we sat with them to know what goes into pricing of these items they bring into the country? We need to do a lot of work. Let us bring technocrats on board. It should not be because I am not a member of the ruling party and for that matter, I cannot contribute. Everybody that has the expertise, that we know that, these people are good, let us bring them on board.”
He further advised government to invite technocrats to help develop policies for Ghana’s production sector.
“In terms of food production, I am told that the one who engineered the idea of Nigeria producing more rice is a Ghanaian. Why are we not using this gentleman?
“Is it the case that he does not belong to us or he does not hold a party political card and for that matter, we let him go? I know Ghanaians round the world that are doing things and for that matter turning economies around. Why don’t we bring all these people to build our country?” he said.
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