Scrap COVID-19 tax – Thomas Anaba to govt

The African Center for Health Policy Research and Analysis (ACH-PRA) is appealing to government to consider scrapping the 1% COVID-19 tax now that the restrictions at entry points have been lifted.

The Center argues that it is not prudent for the public to pay the tax when COVID-19 is no longer a pandemic.

This follows calls from the public for the tax to be abolished since Ghana has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions at entry points across the country, effective from May 20, 2023.

Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Thomas Anaba, the Executive Director of the African Center for Health Policy Research and Analysis, emphasized that the government must remove the COVID-19 tax.

“I think it is a step in the right direction that we are no longer under COVID-19, and all the problems have ended. We have received loans and funds for COVID-19, almost twice the amount we were targeting to help address the pandemic. So, we don’t see this tax as necessary, even though we didn’t support it. We believe it’s really time for the government to remove the COVID-19 tax along with all the other taxes they are imposing,” Dr. Anaba expressed.

Dr. Thomas Anaba further urged the government to provide Ghanaians with an account of the amount generated since the introduction of the tax.

“Our calls haven’t yielded results, and I don’t know how much more we need to raise our voices for them to understand that they need to be accountable for all the money spent on COVID-19 and all the money collected in the name of COVID-19.”

“I fear they won’t do it, but we will continue to demand that they show some respect to Ghanaians by providing an account of the money collected as COVID-19 taxes, including all the funds collected in the name of COVID-19,” demanded the Executive Director of the African Center for Health Policy Research and Analysis.