Government To Review Taxes On Food Imports

Vice President John Dramani Mahama last Saturday served notice that government will in the near future review taxes and duties that were taken off some food imports in order to allow local farmers to compete.

Speaking at the 20th National Marketing Performance Awards of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG), Mr Mahama said government's aim is to reduce drastically the food import bill, especially in areas that the country has the comparative advantage to produce.

He said the Small and Medium Enterprises sector is in danger of losing out on the gains that it has made over the years because of the current adverse economic environment caused by lack of prudence in the management of the economy in the past three years.

He reiterated government's commitment to maintain fiscal discipline to ensure a stable and predictable environment for the local private sector, adding that the steps taken since January have began to yield results.

The Vice President lauded the efforts of the institute in instilling best marketing practices and pledged government's support to enable the CIMG complete the process of localising the marketing profession so that members play a much more relevant role in achieving the country' vision.

Besides, government will also assist the CIMG incorporate into the curriculum new marketing standards and course content that will reflect the aspiration of companies in the country.

Mrs Josephine Okutu, National President CIMG, said the turbulent world economies require that countries adopt appropriate policies that will protect their economies against the shocks being experienced the world over.

She said CIMG has constantly appraised the selection procedure and other areas of the awards scheme to respond to changing situations within corporate Ghana.

Mr Kwame Achampong-Kyei, Chairman GLICO Group of Companies was adjudged the marketing man of the year 2008 while Mrs Norkor Dua, Managing Director Lowe Lintas took the coveted price of the Marketing Woman of the Year 2008.

The award for the marketing student of the year went to Mr Cedric McAddy, Head, and External Marketing of the Ghana Commercial Bank.

Mr George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer MTN took the Marketing Practitioner of the year 2008.

Three companies were also inducted to the CIMG Hall of Fame, which is reserved for organisations that have won the awards for three times. The 2008 inductees are Toyota Ghana Limited, Melcom Limited and State Insurance Company.

Source: GNA