Gov’t suspends law banning importation of salvaged cars into Ghana
Jonas Danquah 
The government of Ghana has suspended the implementation of the law banning the importation of salvaged vehicles, also known as accident cars, and those older than 10 years into Ghana, this is according to the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF).
The Customs Amendment Act,2020, was expected to take effect from November 1, 2020 but has been suspended after bill was passed by parliament in March,2020.
The Tema Regional Chairman of the GIFF, Alex Asiamah in a radio interview on Accra-based Citi FM on Thursday said the Customs Commander at the Tema Port announced the suspension to them.
“Just this evening [Thursday] I received information informing the general public, stakeholders and the importing public that, Customs will continue to do their normal clearance of such vehicles. So, the importers can go on with their business of importing such cars. So that’s the news at the moment. It is coming from the Ministry [of Finance], but through our sector commander, the Assistant Commander of Customs in Tema,” he said.
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The Customs Amendment Act 2020 among other things, provides incentives for automobile manufacturers and assemblers registered under the Ghana Automotive Manufacturers Programme and prohibits the importation of salvaged motor vehicles and cars over 10 years of age into Ghana.
It can be recalled that after the announcement by the government to implement the said Act from November 1,2020 it was received with much agitation by industry players such as the coalition of car and spare parts dealers association of Ghana as well as freight forwarders who threatened to stage a demonstration to protest the implementation of the Act.
He indicated that based on the suspension of the law, “for us as freight forwarders, we will continue to enjoy our business of providing such cars for our customers and when that one happens, it means we are going to continue to enjoy the service so it’s welcoming news.”
The reason for the halt in implementation of the policy is not clear yet , but speculations are it was done because former President John Mahama said his next government would scrap the law should he win the 2020 Presidential elections at the launch of the NDC manifesto on Monday.
