Ghana’s debt to foreign entities keeps skyrocketing, with the latest being a whooping £5 million owed to the UK government.
The latest reports from the UK suggest that the Ghana High Commission in London ranks eighth on the list of countries owing London Congestion Charges as of the end of September 2023.
The Ghana High Commission owes an accumulated £5,001,105 from 2003 to December 31, 2023.
The London congestion charge is a £15 daily fee charged on most cars and motor vehicles being driven within the Congestion Charge Zone in Central London.
The fee is charged between 07:00 and 18:00 on weekdays and between noon and 18:00 on weekends and bank holidays.
According to the UK government, the Congestion Charge is for a service and not a tax, which means that diplomats are not exempt from paying it.
In a statement, Transport for London (TfL) said government authorities are gearing up to settle the issue at the International Court of Justice.
This comes after various diplomatic efforts to press for debt payment proved futile.
“The majority of embassies in London do pay the charge, but there remains a stubborn minority who refuse to do so, despite our representations through diplomatic channels.
“We will continue to pursue all unpaid Congestion Charge fees and related penalty charge notices and are pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice,” a statement by Transport for London (TfL) said.
The US Embassy owes the largest amount (£14.6 million), while Togo owes the least with just £40.
Below is the full list of London congestion charge debtors