The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has said the NPP faces a possible return to opposition if the government does not review charges at the port.

The MP, who is noted for speaking his mind and not mincing words, also hit at the government over what he described as "illegal" increasing charges at the port.

Agyapong who claims to have been a victim of high port duties himself, advised the government to put in strict measures to arrest skyrocketing import duties, most of which he believes are illegal.

“I have someone working on a project for me at the port. I have imported some air conditioners. I was showed an invoice of USD 22,000 for all the air conditioners but I was shocked I have to pay an increased amount of USD 25,000 in port duties."

“I was like really? What is going on [in Ghana]? You charge so much on common air-condition. I am very upset and still can’t understand why I have to pay that much. The government should immediately do something about this,” he complained.

Given this background, Agyapong is reported to have said that the ‘killer’ port charges could cripple local businesses if care is not taken.

According to him, the import duty system is a mess which if not resolved, would take the NPP back to opposition.

“People can no longer take this exorbitant import duty anymore. This import duty system is a mess."

Agyapong further advised the vice president,Bawumia, and the finance minister to work with the GRA boss to ensure that the issues is resolved.

Meanwhile, it appears the government’s budget statement to parliament that it had scrapped an existing one percent special import levy and some additional seven taxes is yet to impact on port charges.