Ghana Harbor Issues, 300% Customs Duty Paid On One Second-Hand Car

The Ghanaian leader, Nana Akufo Addo

The current political and economic situation and the impact of corruption in Ghana, are more than serious. One of the places noted for widespread corruption and bribery is the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority.

I need to say that day and night, I think over the political situation in Ghana, my country. No doubt many Ghanaians in the country and those in the Diaspora world, do the same thinking. I can not help fearing that the lack of good leadership and judiciary system in the country have worsened the situation.

Who feels it knows it, therefore, I listen to the voice of the suffering masses or the common Ghanaian, to write my articles, not the boastful Ghanaian politicians, driving flashy expensive luxurious cars, enjoying all benefits, in a depressive economy, yet claiming everything is going well in the country.

On July 5 and 12, 2020, programs tagged "Habor Issues with GUTTA," appeared simultaneously on local television, "Ghaspora TV" hosted by a Ghanaian journalist, Mr. Simon 'Bonsafo' Bawua, in Antwerp, Belgium, to discuss harbor serious problems that need an immediate solution, yet successive Ghanaian governments, including the administration of Nana Akufo Addo, have ignored.

On the program, a Ghanaian businessman appeared in a video, to speak out the neglected habor issues in Ghana, humbly requesting viewers to share the video to everyone because he considers Ghanaian governments and politicians very wicked people. 

Reference: Video link on Youtube - https://bit.ly/2D4uAX0

According to him, there is no work in Ghana, thus; many people have to struggle to find their way, the reason some of them are in Europe today, yet it's not easy to live in Europe, since many Ghanaians have to undertake two to three jobs to survive.

"After the struggle, one who purchases a second-hand car at the cost of $2,000, pays $1,500 for the freight, and when the car reaches the harbor in Ghana, you are requested to pay customs duty of $7,000 or $8,000, so as a reasonable person, why Ghanaian leaders are wicked to that extent?" He asked.

"Why Ghanaian leaders have that type of wicked character of not thinking of people who are suffering?" He asked. He lamented on the hopeless situation of importers and exporters, accusing the Ghanaian leaders of taking the harbors as their "Cocoa farms," to enrich themselves, at the expense of sufferers." 

He stressed further that " due to the over duty tax imposed on cars, vehicles are sold at auction because the owners can't afford the cost to clear the vehicle from the ports." How can the lack of effective leadership and corruption bring such unfortunate circumstances for importers?

In Europe, the prices of second-hand cars reflect on the date the car was first registered. Thus, if you can't afford a two-year-old car, you can make a purchase of one between three to six years. 

Since in Ghana, you can't take a vehicle older than 10 years into the country, it is likely that you can buy an eight-year-old car at 2,000 Euros, but when the vehicle gets to Ghana, customs duty levied on the vehicle could be about 8,000 Euros, that is 300% more than the purchase price. 

This is one of the problems associated with the Ghana Ports Authority for a very long time but according to sources, the problems have increased, a situation many Ghanaian entrepreneurs and businessmen are describing as "from frying pan to fire," under the government of Nana Akufo Addo.

Ghanaian politicians, like all African politicians, pretend they care about the people but confidently, I can say that Ghanaian politicians, like all African politicians, are inspired by politics just to enrich themselves. They have no conscience, integrity, and empathy.

Chairman 'Bonsafo' Bawua, the host for 'Ghaspora TV' in Antwerp, Belgium

If Ghanaian politicians care about both Ghanaians at home and those in the Diaspora, the unemployment rate in the country will not be so high, while Africans in the Diaspora pay abnormal high customs duty on goods brought into the country.

 

Nobody expects magic overnight in any administration but if for decades, the government come and go, without things improving in the country, that means the leaders are either inefficient or corrupt, yet these are the words Ghanaian politicians don’t want to hear.

Why Ghanaians in the Diaspora continue to face these problems if the money remitted into the country plays a major role in sustaining Ghana's economy? And why do successive governments keep advising Ghanaians in the Diaspora to help Ghana grow, yet nobody seems to care about the problems they encounter in Ghana? 

It is inconceivable to me that Ghana has no future, however, if it has then Nana Akufo Addo should prove it to make things better for the suffering Ghanaians and those living outside Ghana.

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So Akufo Addo, Where Is The Fight Against Corruption If The Country Is 3rd In The World?

  

The Ghanaian leader, Nana Akufo Addo

Ghana is a corrupt country in everything, including the judiciary system and politics; therefore, politicians are restless because they know what happens during elections since there are never free and fair elections in Africa, including Ghana.  

A US News report has identified Ghana as the third most corrupt country in the world. Reference: https://bit.ly/38cZ4QO

According to its 2020 ranking, a characterization of 73 countries based on a survey of more than 20,000 citizens of the world and apart from Ghana which occupies the 3rd place, the classification also implies Kenya which comes in 8th position of the most corrupt countries in the world. 

Others are Columbia and Mexico, known for its deadly drug cartels. Myanmar, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Bolivia are also in the top 10. Russia, which has been accused of electoral interference and Olympic doping, joined the top 10 this year after ranking number 12 in 2019.

In the report, respondents indicated how closely they relate each country to the term corrupt, the exact meaning of which was left to their own interpretation. 

Transparency International, the German-based non-governmental organization defines corruption as the abuse of public power for private gain. The organization's most recent version of its corruption perception index also indicates that the failure to significantly control corruption is escalating a global democracy crisis.

Corruption in Ghana is at its highest peak because it takes place daily, however, it increases significantly when getting close to elections. This one of the reasons there is always political instability in Ghana, since the suffering masses, including the unemployed outraged over the impact of corruption in the country.

The fight against corruption in Ghana’s administration was one of President Nana Addo-Akufo's major priorities but what has he done today? “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”- Abraham Lincoln.

I write without inventing my own words but based on the references of what Akufo Addo himself said. On corruption, during a ceremony at the Flagstaff House (That’s what I know it is called), Nana Akufo Addo said: “While corruption is a thorny issue that permeates every fabric of Ghanaian society, especially the public sector, he believes that it is one of the worst scourges that oppose the development of Ghana.”

Then when the president failed the fight against corruption, including his failure to solving chronic corruption among the members of the NPP, frustrated and embarrassed Akufo Addo, shamefully said, "it is not his job to accuse the innocent or convict officials who engage in corruption."

According to President Akufo Addo, "all cases of corruption in his government will follow due process to determine whether the officials involved are guilty or not." Oh yes, Nana Akufo Addo, this is one of the reasons you appointed the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu to do that job.

Yet, you were so scared that he will bring out corrupt NPP officials, which will affect the party’s future in elections, therefore, you sat on the neck of the man to prevent him to do his job. If the common Ghanaians you starved at home can’t see, the honest Ghanaians living outside the country know about your ‘Politricks.’

In fact, Akufo Addo, all those attacking me for speaking the truth or any time I write an article about you are wasting their time, since the articles are based on what you say but never did or about your failures. Once provoked, I get the message to repeat similar articles because the truth is bitter than the bile. 

It's also necessary to add to this article that, in reality, you often see many deleted comments under my articles, only one or two are genuine, the rest of the names are from one person. 

Akufo Addo appoints Martin Amidu, the Special Prosecutor, to coverup his corruptible deals

Yes, I mean a frustrated angry, tribalistic enemy full of hate, who wants everyone to believe that the article I wrote has generated 10 negative comments but the fact is the different names are from only one person. I believe intelligent Ghanaians know that too.

There is a time for everything, Mr. President, my only fear is before Ghanaians will realize how bad you are as a leader or how corrupt both NDC and NPP political parties are, then it’s too late. 

Nothing can bring a change to the doomed economy of Ghana because of the impact of continuous abuse of power and corruption which has destroyed the economy beyond remedy.

YOU CAN KILL A JOURNALIST BUT YOU CAN'T KILL THE TRUTH

Killed journalists, left, Khashoggi, and right, Hussein-Suale

World leaders and the most powerful people are no longer ashamed to lie or commit clandestine crimes. They have come to the point of claiming lies with pride because, without lies, your world will be full of enemies, and without lies, you can’t be ‘successful’ in every position you occupy.

The world is in the hands of an empire of corruptible, deceitful leaders, influenced by power and money; they have declared war on the truth, making sure to kill anyone, including journalists, who come their way, to cover up their devilish schemes and build consensus.

It’s not an exaggeration that journalism is now a dangerous profession. Journalists don’t carry a gun, just a mere pen, yet they are the most feared people in society by corruptible politicians and criminals because they consider journalists a threat.

Many hate journalists to the extent that in the year 2018, 80 of them were killed in different places worldwide: 15 registered in Afghanistan, 11 in Syria, 9 in Mexico, 8 in Yemen, and six in India.

The killing of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi reveals how money rules and commits crimes in this world with impunity.

On November 15, the Saudi Arabia prosecutor's office indicted 11 people for the murder of journalist Khashoggi, believed to be authorized by the Saudi royal family.

Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, had gone to the consulate to collect some documents but never came out from the place alive. His girlfriend reported his disappearance after waiting for him outside the building for eleven hours, until the offices closed.

Khashoggi had advised her to notify an adviser to the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, if he did not come back. At the entrance to the consulate, the journalist had been forced to leave his cell phone.

Who is Jamal Khashoggi?

A former adviser to the Saudi government, Khashoggi decided to exile himself in the United States in 2017, for fear of a possible arrest, after criticizing some decisions of the Saudi crown prince, as well as Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The journalist had also expressed several criticisms of Riyadh's military intervention in Yemen. Khashoggi had repeatedly reported intimidation, arrests, and attacks on journalists, intellectuals, and religious leaders not aligned with the Saudi royal house.

Since Khashoggi refused to enter Saudi Arabia, his assassination was plotted at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey.

The Killing of the Ghanaian Journalist, Ahmed Hussein-Suale

In my beloved Ghana, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a journalist who used to be one of the investigators at Tiger Eye, a private investigative team financed by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a Ghanaian investigative journalist, was brutally assassinated by unknown assailants on January 16, 2019, in the neighborhood of Accra. Why was this journalist killed?

Ahmed Hussein-Suale and his boss, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, have been investigating massive corruption in Ghana, involving high Ghanaian government officials. An example of such a corruption scandal is Ghana’s football, involving Kwesi Nyantakyi, resulting in his ban from the sport for life.

Many know Ghana for two important reasons: firstly, it gained independence in 1957, with Kwame Nkrumah as the first leader, and secondly, it's a peaceful country. What many don't know is that Ghana is one of the most corrupt countries in Africa, where nothing works in the country, including its judicial system.

The senseless killing of the journalist, other killings, and kidnappings now add Ghana's name to the list of possibly dangerous and truth-suppressing countries. After the long silence of Mr. Hussein-Suale's death, the Ghana media reported the suspected killer's arrest.

Like many lawless countries around the world, money is the compromise of truth in Ghana. Without the dollar, you can't get the justice you deserve. Many Ghanaians wake up without hope or means because the political atmosphere in the country is not for the common people.

I believe Ghanaians wouldn't have cared about the NPP or NDC if the people had jobs, the economy were flexible, and prices of commodities were moderate. Why? Because throughout Europe, the majority don't care about political parties in power since the economy is good and everyone lives well.

It's hard to understand the closure of radio stations in a country that claims to follow democracy. This is another form of suppressing information or restricting the activities of journalists in any advanced country.

Trump has called much media fake, yet he knows it's against the principles of democracy to shut down television or radio stations. If the media goes against the law, they can be fined or penalized, but shutting down a media house or station is only experienced in a dictatorship of government.

I can understand the efforts of the government in a country that was in the hands of the opposition party for many years, but many are disappointed that Nana Akufo-Addo appointed an unfamiliar large number of ministers in Ghana's political history, hoping that it will ease their suffering in time.

Even though many journalists have been killed around the world, including in Ghana, no one can stop journalists from active duty. They can be killed, but no one can kill the truth. The truth will always be there to stare directly into your eyes forever.

Mahama Promised To Fight Corruption, Yet Was In Numerous Corruptible Scandals

The former Ghanaian leader, John Mahama


It seems one of the easiest promises often pledged by politicians to the suffering masses is to tackle and uproot corruption; however, when in power, they rather engage in corruption.

Reacting to criticism of being corrupt, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama announced that he would step up against corruption and high salaries. In addition, he also said his ministers will take a 10 percent salary cut.

The announcement of the imminent pay cuts for politicians was made by Finance Minister Seth Terkper during his presentation of the 2014 budget.

According to Mr. Terkper, money deducted from the salaries would be paid into a special fund for community health and planning services, with the focus on maternal health, yet Mahama was involved in serious corruption scandals. The latest is the Airbus corruption scandal.

Despite the hate, insults, and degrading comments from the opposition and a section of the Ghanaian population against the former Ghanaian leader, John Mahama, he was nominated candidate of the main opposition party for the presidential election of 2020 during the primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

John Mahama defeated six other candidates for the candidacy by 95% of the votes, representing the candidate of the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, for the presidential election of 2020.

The ex-Ghanaian leader, who lost the presidential elections to his rival, Nana Akufo-Addo’s NPP, now continues to attack and accuse the current Ghanaian leader of corruption, something that he was accused of during his rule.

According to the NPP government, the NPP is responsible for Ghana's poor economic situation; however, things haven’t moved easily for the suffering masses, as the country has witnessed a high rate of unemployment and the collapse of businesses, including banking institutions.

The opposition notably accused John Mahama of having received a vehicle from an entrepreneur in Burkina Faso in exchange for the award of contracts for the construction of a road and a wall around the embassy of Ghana to Ouagadougou.

However, despite all the corruption scandals that were associated with the former Ghanaian leader, the confident John Mahama recently said:

“The NDC is strong.  The NDC is united.  The NDC is ready for victory in 2020, and nothing, absolutely nothing, can stop our march towards Flagstaff House (seat of government)," said the former head of state after his victory. 

He, therefore, called on the activists to join, promising to work closely with party leaders to return to power.

ECHOES OF CORRUPTION FROM THE OFFICE OF AKUFO ADDO

Akufo-Addo, one of Ghana's most corrupt leaders

If any Ghanaian thinks Akufo-Addo is not corrupt, then the person has the brain of a child. In corruption, Akufo-Addo thinks he can play smart to deceive Ghanaians, but the fact is, he is not clever. I will prove to you that Akufo-Addo is a smooth-cunning corrupt politician Ghana has ever known. 

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In fact, there is no difference between him and John Mahama; they are birds of the same feathers. I am standing on my feet upright, looking into the eyes of Akufo-Addo, asking you today to tell Ghanaians the reason he appointed Martin Amidu, the Special Prosecutor, to investigate corruption in the country.

I am standing upright on my feet, asking Akufo-Addo to tell Ghanaians the reason he printed the 100 and 200 Ghana Cedis notes. Again, Akufo-Addo, can you please tell Ghanaians why, despite many Ghanaians aren't happy about the new notes, the Bank of Ghana quickly released the money into circulation?

You see, Akufo Addo, everything tastes delicious in their mouths

those who don't know how to cook, the same thing applies to Ghanaians at home who have never experienced quality leadership. They cherish and admire your poor and inefficient leadership because John Mahama, the former Ghanaian leader, had disappointed them. 

I know what quality and efficient leadership in Belgium is, which reason why I called you a failure. In Belgium, even cleaners earn between 1,300 - 1,500 Euros per month. Many have their own houses, paying monthly, while some have already finished the payment between 20 to 25 years.

Again, cleaners drive good cars together with high earned salary officials because the intelligent Belgian government has created an economy in which everyone, including the low-earning workers, can fit in. You don't need to be rich before you live a normal life, and you don't need to get money before going to the hospital.

And please, Mr. President, don't tell Ghanaians that since Ghana is an African country, circumstances in the country are normal because Belgium hasn't even one-tenth of the resources Ghana has. With 15 politicians, including the prime minister, Belgium's economy is one of the best in the world.

In the year 2011, all the branches of the Dexia Bank, one of the popular banks in Belgium, went bankrupt. The government didn’t watch them collapse. 

As part of the operation to unwind the Dexia Group, Dexia Bank was bought by the Belgian Government for 4 billion EUR through its investment company SFPI. Today, Belfius Bank ranks as one of the best customer service and insurance banks in Belgium.

Akufo-Addo, how many banks collapsed under your administration, and how many of them did you save? You see, in life, love conquers all hate, and the truth is always bitterer than the bile, which reason I am not afraid to speak the truth.

Your government has set a world record with over 120 ministers, who continue draining the economy of Ghana. Things are extremely tough in Ghana because your ministers lack intelligence and efficiency. They don't even know their left, let alone their right. 

Your government hasn't found an answer and explanation for over 500 missing excavators seized from illegal mining sites in the country, yet, as quickly as possible, you have appointed Martin Amidu to investigate the Airbus corruption scandal implicating the former Ghanaian leader, John Mahama. 

Does that make you a good leader? This is one of the reasons, Akufo Addo, I say, you can only convince those you have put under perpetual fear or scared of you, that you are not corrupt, but not me. I can smell the odour of your corruption right here in Belgium. 

In January 2018, Akufo-Addo appointed Mr. Martin Amidu, the former Attorney General, as Special Prosecutor to handle and investigate corruption cases that have overflowed its banks in Ghana.

Ever since Mr. Amidu was appointed, the president himself and several NPP officials have been involved in corruption scandals, yet this man always pretends everything is normal. He has never prosecuted anyone, which Akufo-Addo is enjoying. 

Amidu's inefficiency in dealing with corrupt politicians in the country has given thousands of Ghanaians the evidence they need to understand that Akufo-Addo only deceived and made the public believe that he was to fight corruption.

Ghana is losing billions through corruption, and this has direct consequences for economic growth, and the price has its repercussions on consumers and ordinary people, yet you claim to fight against corruption.

Where is the fight against corruption in the country if Ghana ranks as the third corrupt country in the world, according to a US News report? Reference: https://bit.ly/38cZ4QO. I will leave this question for sincere and honest Ghanaians to answer themselves.

There is no 'Oyadieyee' on the streets of Belgium, desperate traders don't carry tubers of yams on their heads to run after vehicles looking for buyers in Belgium, and no shoe shiners are roaming on the streets of Belgium.

Because of the efficient government's VDAB, the public employment service, and one of the largest job sites of Belgium, provides modular education and supporting training on the job for such kinds of people suffering like those in Ghana.

In fact, those who love reading my articles have already seen that someone full of hate and having sleepless nights always leaves a filthy comment of insult whenever I post an article. 

I will continue to delete them even if you are not somebody; nobody will hate you. Yes, people don't hate someone for nothing. It's only a fool who will repeat deleted comments daily.

Both NDC and NPP are twin brothers baptized with the holy ghost of corruption; therefore, intelligent Ghanaians must concentrate on the newly formed minor political parties in the country. 

One day, you'll remember that "I told you so" because Akufo-Addo is equally corrupt as John Mahama, the man that Ghanaians hate so much. Time will tell, just be patient.