The Ghana Union of Traders Association, (GUTA), has directed all its members to raise red flags at their shops in support of protests to demand a reduction in what the association refers to as a high tax regime.
A press statement issued by the Joint Private Sector Business Consultative Forum comprising GUTA and affiliate groups such as the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders and the Ghana Automobile Dealers Association indicated that the move has become necessary following government’s failure to respond to GUTA’s grievances.
Protocol Officer of GUTA, Richard Amamoo, told Citi News the group’s next line of action will be announced upon the expiration of the February 23 ultimatum.
He explained that they are taking such decision because “from the last two weeks since we had the press conference nothing has come out of it and for that matter we cannot sit down unconcerned and that is the way we want to express our concern for government to know that we are suffering.”
“This is a sign of telling government we are not happy and for that matter we are just giving him the ultimatum, the grace period to still consider and if by next week Tuesday, if government fails to listen to us then we have no any other means than to just come back and strategise,” he added.
GUTA about two weeks ago threatened to hit the streets over the adoption and introduction of the Ecowas Common External Tariffs (CET) which took effect on Monday, February 1, 2016.
According to GUTA, the new law is unfair. GUTA’s threat follows the implementation of the Common External Tariff.
The CET is aimed at harmonizing tariffs being charged in the ECOWAS sub-region.
Source: citifmonline.com
