{
  "id": 14924581,
  "title": "Bawumia engages GUTA over import duties, VAT and rising business costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/bawumia-engages-guta-over-import-duties-vat-and-rising-business-costs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T10:03:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/bawumia-engages-guta-over-import-duties-vat-and-rising-business-costs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice President and 2028 NPP presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia met with representatives from the Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA) to discuss issues affecting merchants. The October 16 Facebook post detailed concerns raised by GUTA executives, including high import duties, higher Value Added Tax (VAT) for informal traders, difficulties accessing Export Import (EXIM) loans, and increased shop rents and loyalty payments. Bawumia deemed the meeting productive, noting that GUTA also proposed solutions to some of the challenges.\n\nFocus was given to transitioning away from reliance on imported goods, towards bolstering local production, which could create jobs and expand opportunities for Ghanaian businesses. Discussions covered incentives to promote local manufacturing and its potential impact on economic growth. Bawumia expressed gratitude to GUTA for their input, stating the exchange provided valuable insights into trader difficulties. The dialogues contribute to ongoing conversations on policy measures aimed at improving the business climate, easing operational burdens, and fostering private-sector growth.",
  "summary": "Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for the 2028 elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has held talks with the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) on challenges affecting traders, including high import duties, rising demurrage charges and the cost of doing business.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former VP Mahamudu Bawumia met GUTA to discuss merchant issues.",
    "Bawumia deemed meeting productive, noted GUTA proposed solutions to challenges."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Dr. Bawumia advocates solar power, access to credit, training and certification for artisans as he engages them on challenges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/dr-bawumia-advocates-solar-power-access-to-credit-training-and",
        "published": "2026-10-16T09:41:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}