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GNAAP Announces Price Increament On School Books Effective September
Ghana National Association of Authors and Publishers (GNAAP) will from September 2024 increase wholesale prices of books.
Books meant for pre-school children will be sold between GHs 50 and GHs 60, primary school textbooks GHs 60- GHs 80 and that of Junior High School GHs 80- GHs 180.
Cash and carry system shall be the mainstream policy regarding the sales of books at 25% discount.
Credit for bulk purchases in exceptional cases shall not extend beyond 40 days from the time of purchase and delivery at a discount of 10%.
The above prices were arrived at by GNAAP, following reckless imposition of “killer” port levies, VAT on books by government, high interest rates, high inflation, continuous appreciation of the dollar against the cedi among others, which according to them have increased the cost of producing books in Ghana.
Addressing the press at a media engagement, held in Kumasi on Thursday, 9th May, 2024, GNAAP critiqued government for disregarding the Florence agreement in 1950 which isolates importation of indigenously designed but foreign printed books from import duties and value added tax.
Though Ghana has signed to the agreement, the group disclosed that authorities are not exercising the agreement at the port.
“According to our documents at the port is only in name. We have had to pay other charges at the port that is increasingly making the cost of books unbearable for parents to afford”.
Documents intercepted by www.dailywatchgh.com reveals that importers make payment of GH 10,072.99, representing a charge on COVID-19 Health Recovery levy per container at the port.
Other levies are catalogued below:
GHs 2,014.58 on Africa Union Import Levy.
GHs 10,072.99 on 1% Withholding Tax on Import.
Import VAT GHs 160,160,31.
Processing fee GHs 10,072.99.
Import NHIL GHs 25,182.43.
Special Import Levy (2%) GHs 20,143.95 etc.
President for GNAAP, John Akwasi Amponsah said the value of books funds in debt are huge and publishers are loosing their purchasing power on daily basis due to high rate of inflation and high cost of borrowing.
“We do not wish that books become more expensive than these. However, these conditions only hold if government considers:
Reviewing some of its port charges that are increasing the cost of books.i.e COVID-19 levy, Au levy etc.
Withdrawing the Value Added Tax from books that are making books clearing unbearable for publishers”.
GNAAP has threatened increasing prices of books much higher than the new prices yet to be introduced come September 2024 if government fails to address the challenge immediately.
“We will be compelled to share the cost of this VAT with consumers though it will defeat the purpose of the share the burden of tax with our clients”. We are not to rescind our decision even should the ruling governing NPP call us on negotiation table.
Hon Justice Baffour Awuah(managing editor and CEO)