{
  "id": 7993117,
  "title": "Bawumia engages traders over high import duties, demurrage and access to credit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/bawumia-engages-traders-over-high-import-duties-demurrage-and-access",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T09:13:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/bawumia-engages-traders-over-high-import-duties-demurrage-and-access-to-credit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Vice President and NPP 2028 presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia met with traders, importers and business operators to discuss challenges faced by the industry. The Trade Advocacy Group brought up issues such as high and arbitrary import duties, increasing demurrage charges, costly shop rentals, and high taxes. Access to credit also emerged as a key concern, with the association seeking policy interventions to alleviate financial pressures on traders and create a more favorable environment for businesses. The meeting comes as importers express growing concerns over rising costs and delays at Ghana's ports, which could heighten storage and demurrage expenses and hinder the country's trade competitiveness. Dr Bawumia emphasized that the dialogue aimed to identify practical policy measures to facilitate businesses' growth and job creation, while positioning Ghana as a trade hub in the sub-region and improving the conditions for traders and businesses.",
  "summary": "Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2028 presidential candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has engaged traders, importers and other business operators as part of his ongoing policy dialogue series.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dr. Bawumia meets with traders to address industry challenges",
    "Discusses high import duties, rising demurrage, costly rentals, and high taxes",
    "Access to credit highlighted as key concern for traders"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Bawumia engages traders, importers on business challenges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/bawumia-engages-traders-importers-on-business-challenges",
        "published": "2026-09-17T10:12:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}