Government had to waive off duty for Jeep Cherokee cars donated to Black Stars, Sports Minister reveals

By Ameenu Shardow

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Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga has revealed the state had to waive off the duty involved in the importation of the Jeep Cherokee vehicles donated to the Black Stars by Tanink Ghana Limited.

The automobile firm have reportedly donated 30 Jeep Cherokee cars to the Black Stars for their silver-medal feat at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Sports Ministry came under initial attack for the perception of financing the donation to the Black Stars team that had already been rewarded for their AFCON heroics with a bonus top up of $25,000 to each player from headline sponsors GNPC.

It however later emerged that the donation was the sole initiative of automobile firm Tanink Ghana Limited.

The donation was however not made at completely no cost to the state as Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga revealed government was asked to waive off the tax involved in importing the vehicles for the team.

“They (Tanink Ghana Limited) requested for some assistance though – they requested government assistance in waiving the duty for bringing the cars in for them to absorb the remaining cost,” Ayariga revealed.

“That is the arrangement they initially asked for.”

The donation, according Chief Executive Officer of Tanink Ghana Limited Roger Koglo aside showing appreciation for the Black Stars’ heroics at the 2015 AFCON, is in redemption of a pledge made to the team ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

The vehicles - valued at $76,000 each - were originally promised to be handed to the team had they qualified to the semi finals of the 2014 World Cup.

The tournament in Brazil however emerged as the worst ever for Ghana in their short history in the finals.

The Black Stars struggled in the aftermath of the tournament but have managed to repair their battered image with their impressive performance at the 2015 AFCON.