BULK FISH IMPORTERS ASSOCIATION GHANA: FISH IMPORTATION BUSINESS ON LIFE SUPPORT DUE TO DRACONIAN TAXES AND LEVIES
We, the members of the Bulk Fish Importers Association of Ghana, a branch of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, wish to draw the government’s and the public’s attention to the enormous difficulties that could have an impact on fish importation and production in the nation.
With a per capita consumption of about 25 to 30 kg as of the most recent data, fish consumption accounts for more than 60% of Ghana’s protein intake. However, Ghana has a fish production deficit of more than 60%, which has been significantly exacerbated by fish imported into the system by Association members.
Given that the Bulk Fish Importers Association Ghana and its members import more than 80% of the nation’s total frozen fish imports, there is growing concern that the country may experience a perceived fish shortage if the government fails to address the many issues that fish importers face urgently.
It Is worth knowing that the challenges facing our members includes
the absurd increase in the Fish Import Levy from January 2023 to January 2024 from GHC15.00 to US$17.25 (GHC 251) per metric ton. When businesses all around the world are finding it difficult to even adjust to the global economic difficulties, a whopping 1,573% increase is highly concerning. It’s important to note that during the increase process, neither the Association’s, its members’, nor industry participants’ opinions were taken into consideration.
