President John Dramani Mahama is working on a new policy aimed at stopping the seizure and low-cost auctioning of imported vehicles at Ghanaian ports.
This was disclosed by David Amoah King, a youth advocate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and an entrepreneur in the automobile sector.
During a discussion with Mr. Abednego Orstin Rawlings of the United States Africa Command, Ghana (AFRICOM), King noted that Mahama is displeased with the current practice where vehicles are taken from importers who are unable to immediately settle customs duties, and then sold cheaply to others.
According to King, the new policy forms part of Mahama’s broader “Resetting Ghana” agenda. It will allow vehicle owners to clear their vehicles from ports and be given up to 90 days to complete duty payments—eliminating the risk of instant confiscation.
He described Mahama as a considerate and people-focused leader, saying the proposal will ensure that Ghanaians who go through financial strain to ship vehicles from abroad are not punished further by losing them due to delayed duty payments.
As part of the plan, Mahama intends to implement a “Red Flag Vehicle” system through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). Each imported vehicle would be linked to a unique Vehicle Chassis Number (VCN), and any vehicle with unpaid customs duties would be flagged.
These vehicles would be barred from registration or receiving roadworthiness certification until the outstanding payments are made.
Moreover, such vehicles cannot be sold or transferred to another person unless the customs fees are fully paid. Once settled, the red flag would be removed and normal processing could continue.
King emphasized that before such flagged vehicles are released by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Customs, they must also have comprehensive insurance coverage.
This requirement is expected to benefit the insurance industry and enhance road safety compliance.
Mr. Rawlings applauded the proposal, describing it as a progressive move that could ease the burden on importers and improve transparency at the ports.
He also noted that under the system, if duties remain unpaid after six months, the government would begin applying a five percent monthly interest on the outstanding balance, giving importers an added incentive to meet their obligations promptly.
According to Rawlings, Mahama’s plan reflects the legacy of great African leaders like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and it shows the former president’s commitment to advancing the interests of ordinary citizens.
The proposed initiative is expected to reduce exploitation at Ghana’s ports, protect importers, and create new economic opportunities, particularly for the youth.