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The Movement for Change’s leader, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, says that the Covid-19 health levy must be eliminated.
Speaking on June 24, he said that he would do away with the Ghana Health Service’s decontamination fee as part of his Great Transformation Agenda.
In 2024, he questioned the continued relevance of these levies and emphasized their necessity to be eliminated.
“How can we be collecting COVID fee and disinfection fee in 2024?” he questioned.
Mr Kyerematen presented his plans to gradually eliminate tariffs and fees on imported replacement components within two years of the National Unity government’s formation.
Additionally, in an effort to eliminate pointless taxes and lessen the total tax burden on importers, he suggested a thorough examination of all levies, administrative fees, and taxes at the port.
“With a view to eliminating all nuisance taxes and thereby reducing the tax burden on importers. The policy prescriptions will make Ghana have the lowest tax rate regime in ECOWAS within a period of three years.”
The e-levy which was introduced in May 2022, imposed a 1.5 per cent charge on all electronic and mobile money transactions over ¢100 per day. In January 2023, the government reduced the rate of the tax from 1.5 per cent to 1 per cent.
Ever since its introduction, the e-levy has always come up in the lead up to every budget reading as businesses and individuals continue to push for its removal.
Also, 68 per cent of the respondents highlighted the COVID-19 levy as another levy which needed a review, with 62 per cent having issues with the petroleum levy. Over 51 per cent also identified the growth and sustainability levy as another area where modifications could potentially alleviate the burdens faced by businesses.
Government on many occasions have said even though the COVID 19 pandemic was no longer with us, the levy was relevant as the country was still dealing with the effects of the pandemic with soaring global supply chain disruptions.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
