Spare parts dealers at Kokompe in the Ablekuma North Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are expressing concern over the continuous depreciation of the Ghana Cedi, saying it is adversely affecting their business.
The traders who spoke to Starr News predicted the cedis’ free fall coupled with high tariffs at the ports could push them out of business.
They voiced these concerns during a visit by the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama as part of his Greater Accra Campaign Tour.
“Our problem is that because of the US Dollar’s [rapid increase] things don’t go well for us. When we import goods, we don’t sell them all at a go. After about a week when we return to buy more, the price increases and you’ll have to find money from somewhere to make up for the loss,” one trader in Kokompe told Starr FM‘s Abdul-Hanan Adam during the NDC presidential campaign stopover.
“Everything is in a bad way. We don’t even make money anymore,” agreed another trader. “Even earning enough money to cater for transport fare home is difficult.”
A veteran trader of vehicle spare parts was critical of taxes on goods at the ports, noting that it has affected how much they are able to pay people who are in their employ.
“The taxes at the harbour are too many. They need to reduce the taxes so that we will be able pay the guys we work this,” he told the news team.
The candidates of the two major political parties have made regular stops in areas bustling with vehicular spare part trading in an attempt to woe the crucial business bloc.
Back in March, former President Mahama promised traders he would introduce a flat rate for spare parts importation. A move hailed by Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association as a “game-changer”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mitchell Asare Amoamah
