The President of the Ghanaian Diaspora Union in Europe (GDUE), Ibrahim Isshak, has urged the over 13 presidential aspirants in the upcoming elections to clarify their campaign promises, particularly on key issues affecting Ghanaians living abroad.
Mr. Isshak expressed concerns over the high import duties Ghanaians pay before clearing their goods at ports. “What pains me more is that after paying all the billions at the ports, we are still pushed around and delayed by unscrupulous customs officers stationed on the roads,” he lamented. He added that these officers often demand extra charges, and if refused, the goods are delayed, sometimes accruing demurrage.
He pointed out that while some presidential aspirants have promised a flat VAT payment system, others have pledged to reduce VAT rates if elected. “We need clarity on these promises. If you’re reducing VAT, to what percentage? We want them to come clear so we can make informed decisions and guide our followers in the December 7, 2024 elections,” he stated during a press conference in Accra on October 1, 2024.
In addition, executive member Madam Sandra Amponsah highlighted challenges faced by Ghanaians in renewing passports while abroad. “It’s a very expensive process to renew passports overseas,” she said, calling for more responsiveness from Ghanaian embassies. She recounted a personal ordeal, where it took her six months to renew her passport to attend her late father’s funeral.
Amponsah also voiced frustration over her treatment at Kotoka International Airport when returning from abroad. “We were delayed with unnecessary questions, while white travellers passed freely,” she recalled. When she asked for an explanation, she was told, “Blacks are known to be liars, while whites speak the truth.”
The General Secretary of the GDUE, Mr. Kwadwo Agyei Yeboah, alleged that Ghanaians abroad are treated as second-class citizens. “We expected to be treated better when we return to Ghana, but the situation is often worse,” he remarked. Yeboah shared a personal experience in Germany where a white man passed through airport security freely, while he was asked to provide his visa before entry.
The GDUE leadership is urging the presidential candidates to address these concerns in clear terms, ensuring that their promises will bring real changes to the lives of Ghanaians living abroad and those returning home.
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