Ghana: Passes Law Prohibiting Importation of Used Cars

Posted On 16 Mar 2020

By : New Africa Daily News, Staff Correspondent

By Richard Adorsu-

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Accra, Ghana- Government of Ghana has finally passed the Customs Amendment Bill, 2020, which places a ban on the importation of second hand cars, more ten years old, as well as salvage cars, locally referred to as ‘accident cars’.

The amendment is part of a bigger plan towards the implementation of the Ghana Automotive Manufacturing Programme, which has so far attracted several global car assembly plants into the country.

The law seeks to provide incentives for automotive manufacturers and assemblers, registered under the Ghana Manufacturing Development Programme.

Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare, quoting the report of the Committee, said “the amendment of the Customs Act, 2015, (Act 891) is to provide incentives for automotive manufacturers and assemblers registered under the Ghana Manufacturing Development Programme (GAMDP), prohibit the importation of salvaged motor vehicles and specified motor vehicles over ten years of age into the country, increase the import duty on specific motor vehicles and provide import duty exemptions for the security agencies and officers of the security agencies”.

Automobile giants like VW, Toyota, Renault and Nissan, have all expressed interest to set up assembly plants in Ghana, aside from local car manufacturer, Kantanka Automobile Company Limited, which is seeking government’s support to expand its production for the local market.

Volkswagen is already in the country, and will launch its operations in the country on March 18, 2020.

Current Outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease- Coronavirus advisory information, World Health Organization & United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Source- WHO

who.int/emergencies

Coronavirus Q&A, World Health Organization

who.int/news-room

Coronavirus condition overview, World Health Organization

who.int/health-topics

United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov

Sponsor by New Africa Business News

Africa’s Most Read and Fastest Growing Global Newspaper. Visit New Africa Business News at www.newafricabusinessnews.com

Africa President of the year 2020

Start Voting for Africa President of the year 2020. Nomination Starts February 01 & Ends December 15/ 2020. Please Submit your Nominee’s Name, Country, Brief Reason for the Nomination. Please Limit Submission to 100 words and One Submission per Person. Email all Nomination to info@newafricabusinessnews.com .Africa President of the year will be announced January 01/ 2021. New Africa Business News. Africa’s Most Read and Fastest Growing Global Newspaper. www.newafricabusinessnews.com

For New Africa Daily News Richard Adorsu Reports, Africa Correspondent

www.newafricadailynews.com