Exempt NGOs From Paying Duties- Rema Director

The Country Director of Remar Association Ghana, a Christian Charity Organisation Mr. Ouedraogou Baovede Wagre, has appealed to the government to exempt Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from paying taxes on goods meant for charity. He said the long documentation processes involved in clearing goods at the ports, which attract daily rates, as well as the high duties paid on such goods, made it difficult for organisations to access donations on time. The situation, he said, was affecting the smooth operations of charity organisations. Mr. Ouedraogou made the appeal when the executives of the Nsawam Residential Area Residents Association donated used clothing to children at the Nsawam branch of Remar. “As I speak now, we have some containers that are over a month old at the port but due to the high duties and long processes, we have not been able to clear them yet. The most unfortunate thing is that, we are losing some of our donors from outside the country who also complain about the duties they have to pay on goods before clearing them”, he lamented. He said Remar rehabilitates the marginalised in society at no cost including prostitutes, orphans, alcoholics, drug addicts, school drop-outs and abandoned children. “Currently we cater for about 700 people at our centres in Accra, Nsawam, Kumasi, Aflao, Tema, Takoradi and Denu. We feed, clothe, house as well as take care of their medical needs and schooling,” he said. The Director said Remar Ghana is maintained purely through donations and support from its headquarters, institutions and individuals in and outside Ghana and appealed for support to improve on its services to humanity. Presenting the items, Mr. Alexander Williams, Chairman of the residents’ association said members were touched by the good works of the organisation. Mr. Ebow Ellis, Secretary to the Association said the association would be an advocate for government policies such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which according to him, almost all the residents were members of.