Jubilation in Abossey Okai over spare parts tax removal; dealers promise to reduce prices

Spare parts dealers in Abossey Okai, the country’s foremost spare parts trade hub, have expressed excitement over the announcement by government to scrap taxes on importation of automobile spare parts. The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Ken Ofori-Atta, on Thursday, March 2 announced in Parliament that government will abolish a number of taxes including those on spare parts importation. He made the announcement while delivering the 2017 budget statement and economic policy of government. A few hours after the announcement, dealers in Abossey Okai took to the streets in front of their shops to jubilate. Most of them were singing and drumming, showcasing some of their products. Speaking to TV3’s Josephine Frempong, some of the dealers said the news is too good to be true. “It is good news,” said one who gave his name as Jericho. “We have been looking forward to this,” he said in Akan. “Nana [Akufo-Addo] promised Ghanaians especially Abossey Okai and has delivered.” One said they have been weighed down by the taxes to the extent that some were forced to shut down their businesses. He cited that a car bought at $2,000 could attract a duty of $4,000 at the ports under the erstwhile regime. He said the news by government will see them reciprocating by reducing their prices to the benefit of all Ghanaians. Source: editors.3news.com|GHana Follow @3Newsgh