The Johnson & Johnson Medical Companies which offers the world’s largest range of consumer healthcare products joins AmCham Ghana as platinum members. Their baby care, skin care, oral care, wound care, over-the-counter and women’s health products feature brands trusted by consumers and healthcare professionals worldwide.
Having made significant contributions to surgery for more than a century, the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies are in the business of reaching more patients and restoring more lives. The group represents the most comprehensive surgical technology and specialty solutions business in the world, offering an unparalleled breadth of products, services, programs and research and development capabilities directed at advancing patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide.
From the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO), their approach is reinforced by a cutting-edgesingle medical safety standard to which all of their products are held. The OCMO takes an evidence- and science-based, ethics- and values-driven approach to medical safety—with an emphasis on transparency.
The Johnson & Johnson Company in 2017 opened a new office in Ghana. The newly established West Africa Regional Operations in collaboration with local health delivery partners will tackle emerging health priorities in West Africa.
Priscilla Owusu-Sekyere, Country Manager of the Johnson & Johnson office in Accra hinted the office will help improve the quality and access to health care in West Africa.
Johnson & Johnson’s office in Ghana will help coordinate the company’s global public health capabilities and resources to deliver a sustainable, measurable impact against significant public health needs in the region. The team in Ghana will translate the company’s strategy into locally-executable programs that drive health impact in collaboration with local health delivery partners. Business development teams from Johnson & Johnson companies will also collaborate with academic centers and entrepreneurs to explore local innovative healthcare-based initiatives. Learn more
AmCham Ghana is pleased to have the Johnson & Johnson Medical Companies in its fold as they work to provide the best of healthcare for the people of Ghana and West Africa.
The leading global lodging company with more than 6,500 properties across 127 countries and territories, Marriott International, Inc. has opened in Ghana as Accra Marriott Hotel.
Opposite Kotoka International Airport, Accra Marriott Hotel is located in the heart of Airport City, a burgeoning urban development within the capital, 7.5km outside of Accra’s city center, within easy access from major corporate businesses and government entities. With 208 well-appointed rooms, 3 enticing dining venues, 800 sqm of meeting space, a pool and fully equipped fitness center, Accra Marriott Hotel is the number one premium business hotel in the Airport City and the wider Accra Area.
The hotel is equipped with facilities to enable you host a special occasion in their 17,000 square feet flexible event space. Their largest venue, the Nkrumah Ballroom, can accommodate up to 650 guests. Accra Marriott Hotel elevates your stay with complimentary breakfast and a free and fast Wi-Fi connection in all guest rooms.
Accra Marriott Guest rooms range from Deluxe Guest room which has 1 King size bed or 2 double size beds. Club rooms comes with Concierge lounge access and a Guest room with 1 King size bed or 2 double size beds. The Junior suite of the hotel comes with a King size bed and a Sofa bed, with the ultimate, the Presidential suite which comes with 1 Bedroom Suite with a King size bed and a Sofa bed.
Their restaurant features a wide range of tasty local and international meals with a Bar-B-Q and picnic area. Accra Marriott provides state-of-the-art business facilities and innovative spaces such as The Greatroom, which allows guests to seamlessly blend work and play. The hotel provides sophisticated spaces and experiences that keep the mind balanced, sharp and inspired, making it the ideal “Gateway to West Africa” whether on business or on leisure.
AmCham Ghana Executive Secretary, Simon Madjie visited Accra Marriott prior to its official opening.
Take advantage of the hotel’s prime location in the heart of Airport City and in close proximity to Accra’s buzzing city centre. Learn more about Marriott Accra Hotel.
For the first time in 50 years, Ghana will be attending this years OTC in Huston, USA as exhibitors. Ghana has only attended the past Offshore Technology Conference as participants with the U.S. Commercial Service’s Ghanaian delegation but never as an exhibitor with a Country Pavilion; making this event a significant milestone for the Ghanaian Oil & Gas industry and the nation as a whole.
Consolidated Shipping Agencies Limited (Conship), in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana and the American Chamber of Commerce (Ghana), will be managing the Offshore Technology Conference’s (O.T.C.’s) first Ghanaian Pavilion.
Ghana’s pavilion comprises a space for over 10 exhibitors including, GNPC, Tullow Ghana, Kosmos Energy, Spring Filed EP, Wood Field Group, GRA, MOE & Agencies, I-Neema, Eco Alpha, Advantage Group, Greenline Logistics, G.O.G.S.P.A, Seaweld and Conship who played a lead role in acquiring Ghana’s pavilion at this year’s event.
The Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, will lead Ghana’s delegation.
A Pre-Departure Briefing event was organized today, April 20, 2018 to brief delegates on travel logistics, immigration and passport control, provide them with the 2018 OTC event schedule and as well brief exhibitors.
Delegates will leave Ghana for USA on Saturday, April 28, 2018 to settle before the events commence on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the OTC Reliant Center, 8400 Kirby Drive, Texas 77054. The exhibition ends on Thursday, April 3, 2018 but there will be a networking event for the Ghana delegates at their various hotels and a delegation leaders O&G site visit and training on May 4, 2018 before departing for Ghana.
The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.
Celebrating 50 years since 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston. OTC has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil and OTC Asia.
OTC is sponsored by 13 industry organizations and societies, who work cooperatively to develop the technical program. This year’s event is expected to host over 70,000 participants from 120 countries with over 2,500 exhibitors from 40 countries. Learn more
Landtours is a full destination management company operating in Ghana since 1994. The inbound operator has over the years helped tourist across the world experience the scenery, rich and diverse culture of the people of West Africa.
Landtours provides cultural tours, eco adventures, tropical adventures, atonement pilgrimage tours, culinary experience among others. The company also handles corporate meetings from inception to completion, taking care of Space Rental, Hotel Reservations,Interior Set-Up & Decor, Audio/Visual Equipment, Ground Transportation (group travel & airport transfers), MC and Usher Hiring, and Meal Arrangements.
Landtours is a Ghana Club 100 company with several awards for their dedication to service in the travel and tourism industry with their young, experienced, brilliant and highly dedicated team to take care of all your travel needs.
To ensure that the services you receive from their partners are of the highest quality, Landtours has selected hotels, restaurants and guides with the utmost care and consideration for your comfort and convenience. They have also made every effort to control their footprint on the West African environment. Therefore, they are working with partners who utilize green and sustainable practices.
Their number one goal is to ensure that your expectations are met and that you go home with West Africa and its people forever in your heart. Click for more info on Landtour.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana supported the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, Pakwo-Shum and Chris Edusei to launch a book on US-Africa relations under the Obama administration in Accra, Ghana.
The book which is titled United States and Africa: The Obama Presidency is published by Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa in partnership with AMIP News and provides a valuable resource and chronicle of the historic Obama Administration’s engagement in Africa.
Present at the launch was the Honorable Minister of Trade, Alan Kyeremanten who reiterated the need for Africa to capitalize on its abundant natural resources to develop.
“I believe that the Obama presidency sent a strong signal to us in Africa that it is time for Africa to take its rightful place in the global landscape in terms of economic development.”
The Minister is however optimistic of Africa’s future as he believes that various initiatives being undertaken by some African leaders will propel the continent’s economic growth.
“We will continue to understand and believe in ourselves and work with the United States through initiatives such as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, (AGOA). I believe that we can leverage our mutual benefits and resources for the collective interest of our people,” he stated.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Africa Society Board of Directors, Amb.(Retired) Pamela Bridgewater in her remarks urged African countries to take better advantage of the opportunities the US has to offer and assured of her organization’s continuous advocacy for the growth of continent.
“Try and reduce impediments in your countries to benefit from trade opportunities from the US. It is important for us as a people to talk about and record what we do. If we don’t do an accurate report of what took place, those things will be lost, because our mission is to educate and advocate for Africa.”
Ghana is the first place in Africa where the book is being launched and according to Amb.(Retired) Pamela Bridgewater, this is due to the special relationship the two countries have.
Also present at the launch was president of the Chamber; Mr. Joe Mensah who expressed his excitement about the book and the fact that Ghana is hosting the first Africa launch.
The book is currently on sale and you can contact AMCHAM Ghana for a copy.
Consolidated shipping agencies Limited (Conship),provides quality services across all spheres of the logistics industry, commenced operations in 1996 as a limited liability company, primarily focusing on Ocean freight forwarding.
Over the years, Conship diversified its operations into other areas of the logistics Industry, such as Airfreight, Marine and Husbandry, Logistics and Projects. The discovery of oil in commercial quantities in the Western Region (Offshore) of Ghana brought with it enormous opportunities for the Logistics and Supply Chain Industry. In this regard, Conship is currently recognized as an offshore and onshore logistics services company.
Conship is strategically headquartered on the 5th Floor of the Silver Star towers.. This location of the headquarters enhances operational activities resulting in swift delivery which enable us to meet their clients KPI’s.
The company has three other operational branches strategically located in Tema, Accra and Takoradi.
Executive Secretary of the AmCham Ghana, Simon Madjie had a conversation with Dr. M. C. Vasnani, CEO of Conship. He shared a brief history on how the company started, their strategic partnerships and the principles that have brought the company this far. They also talked about the upcoming Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, USA. Watch the video below.
Conship’s services range from Freight Forwarding, Projects, Oil & Gas Services and Ship Agency. Aside being a giant in the provision of services in the Oil and Gas industry, Conship has strong strengths in all areas of logistics including the vertical markets which include Telecommunication, Consumables, and Contract Logistics amongst others.
As a Certified Member of the Anti-Bribery and Corruption global institute TRACE, Conship has set the pace and the standards in Ghana and this has placed Conship above all others. Click to learn more and contact Conship.
Authors-Compilers/Editorial Team: Frederick Nnoma-Addison, Beryl Nnoma-Addison, Ambassador (ret.) Pamela E. Bridgewater
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa with title sponsor The American Chamber of Commerce (Ghana) and Friends of The Africa Society Pakwo-Shum and Chris Edusei will host the Africa Book Launch of United States and Africa: The Obama Presidency, on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana at 6:00 p.m.
Honorable Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry to the Republic of Ghana will deliver the keynote launch remarks. Other speakers include Former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and The Africa Society Board Chair and CEO Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater, Mr. Joe Mensah, President of the American Chamber of Commerce (Ghana) and United States Charge d’affaires, a.i. Ms. Melinda Tabler-Stone.
The volume United States and Africa: The Obama Presidency, launched in Washington, D.C. in 2017 and published in partnership with AMIP News, is a valuable resource and chronicle of the historic Obama Administration’s engagement in Africa.
The Africa Society, based in Washington, D.C. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. The Africa Society and Ghana have a long and warm relationship including the production in 2005 of the documentary film Ghana: The Presidential Tour with Discovery Television. This Emmy-nominated series highlighted African countries through an in-depth informational, touristic journey. The Ghana documentary program featured then-president John Agyekum Kufuor.
Pamela Bridgewater was the United States Ambassador when Delta Airlines included Ghana: The Presidential Tour as an in-flight film option on its New York-Accra route.
Appolonia City is a project of Rendeavour, Africa’s largest urban land developer with over 30,000 acres of visionary projects in the growth trajectories of large cities in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Appolonia City is a unique partnership between Rendeavour, Africa’s largest urban land developer, and the Chiefs, leaders and residents of the Appolonia community.
The development was conceived and launched in Accra in 2012. Following the completion of initial infrastructure in 2015, Appolonia City’s first residential phase was introduced to the market.
CEO of Appolonia City, Bright Owusu Amofah
Rendeavour’s vision goes beyond alleviating what is a self-evident problem – that of stifling urban congestion and a dearth of quality housing and commercial property in Africa. Rather, they aim to help create the infrastructure – the living and working spaces, communities, schools and hospitals – that will help sustain and accelerate Africa’s economic growth, meet the aspirations of Africa’s burgeoning middle classes, and serve as a catalyst for further urban development.
Appolonia City is a mixed-use and mixed-income urban development that will be home to 88,000 residents and tens of thousands of daily visitors.
AmCham Ghana Exec. Secretary, Simon Madjie (left) presenting AmCham Membership Certificate to CEO of Appolonia City, Bright Owusu Amofah.
The 2,325-acre project encompasses residential, commercial, retail and light industrial developments, as well as social amenities like schools, healthcare and family parks.
Appolonia City offers you all you need in one place. A place to live, work, shop, a place for entertainment, relaxation and much more – in a well-planned natural environment coupled with the highest standards of infrastructure.
MAC Ghana is a 100% owned company of Mansour International FZCO and the exclusive distributor for Chevrolet & Isuzu range of products (Passenger cars, Pickups, Trucks, Buses) in Ghana since 2014.
Mansour Group is a multinational conglomerate founded in Egypt, with operations across the globe. The company is the second largest company in Egypt by revenue. It is also the largest General Motors dealer in the world, and the fifth largest distributor of Caterpillar Inc. products globally. It also has contracts in Egypt to represent a range of international brands, including McDonald’s, Chevrolet, Red Bull, UPS and Imperial Brands.
MAC Ghana started its operations in Accra, Ghana in August, 2014 with their first 3S facility on the Spintex road in Accra. In a short span since the inception, MAC Ghana made a remarkable presence in Ghana and have successfully sold over 1000 vehicles. In this same period, they have laid down the foundation for building a strong brand equity for both Chevrolet & Isuzu through investment in world class facilities, people and processes.
As part of the groups ongoing strategy for Ghana and towards the long term commitment, MAC Ghana recently opened another world class 3S facility in Kumasi and with future plans to grow the business through expansion of retail facilities in all major towns across the landscape of Ghana.
MAC Ghana are recipients of “Ghana Automotive Awards” – “Most Promising Auto Company of the Year” in 2015 and “Best Service Dealer” in 2016.
By Simon Madjie, Executive Secretary, American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana and Dode Seidu, International Trade Consultant & Founder of Frontier Market Advisors.
Introduction
This article provides a preview of Ghana’s attempt at regulating its international trading environment through the establishment of the Ghana International Trade Commission.
International trade, though largely an economic activity, is governed by rules. The World Trade Organization (WTO) provides the forum for a multilateral rule-based global trading system that ensures that the trading system is fair. Yet not all international trade is rule-based-some countries support their domestic industries to produce and be competitive in international markets. Support provided through subsidies may make the exported products cheaper, however, such products hurt domestic industries producing similar products. Within the framework of the WTO countries have the policy and legal space to protect their domestic industries from unfair trade practices. However determining whether, a country’s domestic industries are being hurt by other countries imports into that country is not an easy task.
In many countries, organizations have been established with the view to provide impartial investigations, adjudication and imposition of measures to protect domestic industries from the harmful effects of international trade.
The United States of America has the U.S International Trade Commission (USITC) set up in September 1916, which is an independent, bipartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that determines the impact of imports on U.S industries and directs action against unfair trade practices such as subsidies, dumping, and infringement of patent, trademark and copyright.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) provides Canadian and International businesses with access to fair, transparent and timely processes for the investigation of trade remedy cases and complaints concerning federal government procurement and for the adjudication of appeals on customs and excise matters. At the request of the Canadian Government, the Trade Tribunal provides advice on tariff, trade, commercial and economic matters.
Similarly, the International Trade Commission of South Africa (ITAC) established in 2003, but existed in many different forms since 1924, has the mandate to foster economic growth within South Africa and the Common Customs Union Area for Southern African countries by establishing an efficient and effective system for the administration of international trade through customs tariff investigations, trade remedies, import and export controls.
Ghana’s Industrial Sector
The industrial sector in Ghana is described to comprise: manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying, electricity, water and sewage sub-sectors. In manufacturing, you have firms that are involved in the food processing, beverages, tobacco, textiles, petroleum refinery, cement production etc. Within the construction sub-sector, major activities include the construction, repair, demolition of buildings, highways, sewers, bridges, streets, roads, railways and communications systems. Within the mining and quarrying sub-sector are activities that involve the extraction of gold, diamond, bauxite, salt, stones and sand. Electricity, water and sewage sub-sector involves the production and distribution of electricity and water.
Post Ghana’s independence, successive governments have focused on the transformation of the country’s industrial base. Governments have implemented a number of policies including import substitution industrialization drives to an over-liberalized economy.
However, Ghana’s industrial sector has significantly reduced its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product over the years. From an average of 25% contribution to GDP from 1996-2000, the sector reduced to less than 20% in 2012 and thereafter. Currently, the industrial sector is largely driven by the Mining and Petroleum subsectors and manufacturing is at an all-time low.
Besides issues of cost of credit, relatively high cost and unreliable electricity supply to the manufacturing sector, one of the major reasons cited for the collapse of the manufacturing sector has been Ghana’s over liberalization policies since the mid-1980’s which opened the country’s market to large volumes of imported goods.
Ghana’s manufacturing sector, very nascent has suffered severely from fair and unfair competition from imports.
Unfair Trade Practices Affecting Ghana’s Industry
Unfair trade practices is a term that can be used to describe all forms of international trade relations that contravenes the principle of non-discrimination. The principle of non-discrimination comprises two key principles: most-favoured nation and national treatment. The most-favour nation principle in international trade indicates that whatever favours a country offers to a trading partner/country, that favour must be available to other trading partners/countries. The national treatment principle does not permit countries to treat goods originating from that country better than imports. These principles notwithstanding, countries, companies and traders often make and are involved in trade related rules that negatively affect trade.
Ghanaian firms have indicated a number of unfair trade practices that have affected their ability to compete domestically and internationally. Ghanaian firms cite dumping-a situation where the price of a good is lower in the foreign market, than it is in the country of manufacture. Another often cited unfair practice is intellectual property infringements-such as piracy, abuse of trademarks and counterfeiting. Also, there has been instances where manufacturers have claimed that importers of similar goods they manufacture declare and pay lesser imports tariffs thereby undercutting prices on the market in the domestic market.
Unfair trade practices do not only refer to imports, it also includes unfair competition on the domestic market, where companies collude, connive and involve themselves in anti-competitive practices to gain market share and market dominance.
Whereas these complaints have been made by the private sector, the biggest challenges have been the lack of legal and regulatory regime receive complaints, investigate and adjudicate where the trading public think they are experiencing unfair trade. Until independently investigated, many of these claims will remain allegations.
The Ghana International Trade Commission will provide the legal space to receive petitions, undertake independent investigations and adjudicate on unfair trade practices that affect the domestic industry.
Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC)
The Ghana International Trade Commission was established by an Act of Parliament in September 2016 to regulate Ghana’s international trade architecture in conformity with the rules and regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other International Trading Systems and Rules. Prior to the GITC’s establishment, the Tariff Advisory Board an administrative body under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, provided investigative and policy advice to the Ministry in respect of tariff adjustment and safeguard measures. The transition from the Tariff Advisory Board to Ghana International Trade Commission has taken many years.
Objectives and Functions of the Commission
According to the GITC Act, the objectives of the Commission include ensuring fair competition for persons engaged in domestic production and international trade; overseeing Ghana’s compliance with international trade rules and regulations; protecting the domestic industry or market from the impact of unfair trade practices and ensuring transparency, fairness, efficiency and objectivity in the application of measures affecting international trade and the use of world trade measures.
Some of the notable functions of the Commission shall include the following:
Advise, recommend and provide analytical support to the Minister of Trade & Industry on: proposals for trade-related legislation; preparation of documentation and negotiating position of Government during international trade negotiations; Ghana’s compliance with its bilateral and multilateral trade treaties and obligations; tariff levels for specific sectors of the economy and on matters affecting trade and industry after monitoring and reviewing the Country’s international trade.
For Manufacturers, the Commission will determine complaints before it in areas of Safeguard Measures; Subsidisation of Imported Products by Foreign Governments; the Dumping of imported products into our domestic market; tariff adjustments and actions which are deemed to affect fair trade.
For Importers and Traders, the Commission will settle disputes arising from classification and valuation of imported products between them and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
For Exporters, the Commission will conduct studies and publish reports on the competitiveness of Ghana’s tariff structure and its impact on the domestic industry, market access opportunities and challenges with exports from Ghana.
Ghana International Trade Commission
In Ghana activities towards the setting up of the International Trade Commission commenced with the inauguration of the Tariff Advisory Board under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade & Industry in September 2009. The Parliament of Ghana passed the Ghana International Trade Commission Act which was accented to by the President on September 14, 2016 and gazetted on September 22, 2016, however processes towards the operationalization of the GITC has been unduly slow.
Industry players have on numerous occasions called on Government as a matter of urgency to announce the commissioners and inaugurate the Board, one such strong advocate has been Dr. Dawson Amoah of Ghacem and the Association of Ghana Industries who was quoted in a Daily Graphic publication on June 26, 2017 as saying “justice delayed is justice denied.” To wit ‘delay in the implementation of GITC meant delayed justice for local manufacturers. In a publication on March 26, this year, the Managing Director of Aluworks- a local aluminium manufacturing company reiterated the urgent need for the operationalization of the GITC when he said “Ghana is currently in a position where a lot of unfair trade is upon our doorsteps to the detriment of local industry and local trade, and it has decimated our manufacturing sector and need urgent redress…We now await the inauguration of the Commission so that it will be able to begin work towards righting the wrongs that have been foisted on Ghana industry for so long, and it has indeed reduced some sections of industry to close extinction”
The President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Ghana Expatiate Awards announced that the Government has appointed a five Member governing board of the GITC. This announcement by the Government sets into motion activities to operationalize the Commission. Industry watchers are waiting keenly for the official swearing in of the Commissioners. It is anticipated that the establishment and effective functioning of the GITC will accrue some form of protection for local industries, generatee revenue for Government through levies and duties and it will ultimately promote and attract foreign direct investment, especially into the manufacturing sector.
Governing and Composition of GITC Board
The GITC Act indicate, that the Commission is governed by a five member board-all appointed by the President. The chairperson must be a retired Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature or a person qualified to be appointed as such and at least one Member of the Board must be a woman. Board Members of the GITC are expected to have expertise in economics, accounting, international marketing, distribution of goods and services, international trade law or be persons with experience in industry. The GITC will also have a secretariat, headed by an Executive Secretary, appointed by the President to administer the day-to-day activities of the commission. The Commission is expected to be well resourced in terms of the number and quality of required staff and resources-both financial and logistical.
Activities of the Commission
The GITC will have investigative and adjudicative function-just like the USITC.
Investigations: Investigations by the Commission may be initiated by a corporate or individual petitioner or on the Commission’s own initiative.The Commission is expected to conduct its proceedings in public and in private by request of the parties. Proceedings are to be conducted expeditiously and at the conclusion of hearings, record its decision in writing providing reasons for that decision. The Commission may also make an application to the High Court to compel a person to comply with its decision, order or ruling.
Adjudicative: the GITC can impose trade remedies-through the Minister of Trade and Industry, if it believes that there is a material injury to Ghana’s domestic industry. The GITC may impose:
Safeguard Measures: these are measures imposed when increasing imports materially affect domestic producers. The Commission will consider the rate and amount of the increase in imported products absolute and relative terms; the share of the domestic market ceded to imported products and changes in the levels of sales, production, productivity, capacity utilization, profits & losses and employment of the domestic industry in determining the imposition of safeguard measures. Such measures are not expected to exceed ten years according to the GITC Act. Anytime a safeguard measure is imposed, Ghana shall notify the Committee on Safeguards of the World Trade Organization.
Countervailing Duties: through its investigations, when the GITC finds that subsidized imports are likely to cause injury whether imminent or foreseeable to the domestic industry and there is evidence to establish a causal link between the subsidized imports and the injury to domestic industry, Countervailing duties will be imposed. Countervailing duties may be specific to a company, industry, regional depending on how the subsidies are applied by the imposing country. Countervailing duties will be not be imposed for more than five years according to the GITC Act.
Anti-Dumping Duties: shall be imposed by GITC following investigations that establish dumping. Anti-dumping duties shall be imposed on dumped products likely to retard the establishment of a domestic industry. The anti-dumping duty shall be imposed for a period to counteract the effects of dumping and the duty shall not exceed five years from the date of imposition.
Review of Tariff and Settlement of Customs Valuation Dispute: The GITC will play a critical role in addressing customs disputes and tariff adjudication. GITC, when petitioned and satisfied with the available evidence can grant a customs duty rebate or drawback to enhance the competitiveness of a producer. Furthermore, on the request of an importer, the Commission has the power to settle disputes emanating as a result of classification, valuation or origin determination by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Conclusion
The need to deal with unfair trade practices cannot be over emphasized, if Ghana is committed to its manufacturing sector and also committed to resolving –the- daily disputes between Ghana Revenue Authority and importers over classification and valuation of goods, then a fully functional GITC is the only viable solution. An operationalized GITC will also give investors the needed confidence and assurances that, their investment in the manufacturing sector is secured and will not get wiped out by unfair trade practices. Finally, GITC will send a strong signal of Government’s commitment to level the playing field for actors within the manufacturing and importing sectors and albeit somewhat remotely, it will also improve the ease of doing business in the Country.
Dode Seidu, International Trade Consultant & Founder of Frontier Market AdvisorsSimon Madjie, Executive Secretary, American Chamber of Commerce in Ghana.
The Minister is however optimistic of Africa’s future as he believes that various initiatives being undertaken by some African leaders will propel the continent’s economic growth.
