THE CHAIRMAN
SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND INTERIOR
OFFICE OF PARLIAMENT
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
ACCRA – GHANA

February 24, 2023

The Vehicle and Assets Dealers union of Ghana, humbly demand a swift action by the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Legislature and the Ministry of Trade and Industry to call Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to order. The recent antagonistic posture and Rambo style approach, adopted by the above mentioned institution (and it’s Boss) when some garages of our members were raided; is perceived as anti-business friendly and hence, feel unprotected as patriotic businessmen of our beloved country.

VADUG and it’s membership nationwide, believes their sources of livelihood should be jealously guarded and protected. That, their transactions outside of the Republic, as trade ambassadors should be deemed sacred, preserved and respected. After all, which “stolen”, receiptless imported Vehicles could stand the test of our robust Custom procedures at our ports of entry and have all legally required duties paid? Therefore, how did these vehicles end up in the said garages? Are we in anyways jeopardizing the mandated works of various well resourced institutions (like GRA, National Security, Interpol, Marine Police, Ghana Standard Authority, etc), visibly present at our ports of entry? And why are these institutions, left off the hook in this world known complex war against Auto theft?

VADUG believes that, every group of individuals undertaking a business activity/profession is prone to blemish. Hence, the need for instituting controls, checks and punitive measures. Nevertheless, the procedures used in correcting or preventing such crimes, we believe could determine whether as a country, we want to reduce it’s rate of occurrence or dent the reputation of the profession/business activity in question.

The infamous December raid by EOCO (and it’s Boss), tagging Home Used Vehicle importers as “stolen” vehicles’ dealers; coupled with 35% duty increment (on 5years and newer vehicles), Benchmark reversal, duty VAT increment and dollar rate instability has rendered our Trade unattractive and eventual collapse is eminent.

VADUG believes no people oriented Government in power, in it’s quest to create more jobs would want to “pour hot water on plants” already doing well within the economy.

We are strongly in the view that, with a positive WILL, teamwork, constant and result-oriented engagements with other related bodies like Interpol, FBI and Royal Canadian Police will and can prevail over these moles within our industry.

Thanks for your attention and we expectantly await a positive action to help call EOCO to order; to help protect and preserve our sources of livelihood in the Ghanaian Automotive industry.

Long live VADUG, Long live Ghana.

Prepared,

Opoku Agyemang Joshua.
(General Secretary)
0208143121.

Bernard Ntrakwah
(Chairman)
0244026282

Alhaji Saeed Rahman
(Admin. Secretary)
0207422220