Ghanaians in New York appeal for reduction of duty on vehicles

The Ghanaian community in Bronx, New York, have appealed to the government to reduce import duty on vehicles to facilitate the importation of cars into the country.

Mr Martin Larbi, Chairman of Kings Bridge Africa Market Association, made the call at the weekend, during the monthly meeting of the body to deliberate on the contribution of members towards the development of Ghana.

Ghanaians living in Kings Bridge, near Bronx in New York, are more than 5,000 and their main occupation spans driving, retailing and general construction.

Mr Larbi said the import duty of about $10,000 dollars is very exorbitant for car importers.

“If nothing is done about it, we would continue to flood the market with over aged vehicles,” he said.

He said apart from the high cost of clearing vehicles at the port, it was also cumbersome to clear computers, hospital equipment and educational materials meant for community schools.

Mr Larbi commended President Evans Atta Mills for his determination to curb corruption but cautioned him to monitor those around him in order to achieve “The Better Ghana agenda”.

He invited government officials including the President and Vice President John Dramani Mahama to Bronx, interact with the Ghanaian community in order to facilitate ideas on national development.

The community expressed concern about re-emergence of armed robbery cases and advised the security agencies to thoroughly investigate the problem to device means to combat them.

They accused the judiciary for delaying in the trying of the robbers.

Mr Seth Danso, a truck driver in Bronx called for appropriate measures to avoid unforeseen crisis in the oil and gas industry so that Ghana would continue to maintain its international credentials as a peace loving nation.

He said it is necessary for Ghanaians abroad to contribute their quota towards infrastructure development, improve the educational system and help government to achieve its development agenda.

Source: GNA