MTN, Vodafone And AirtelTigo To Charge More From Next Month

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications on behalf of its members – AirtelTigo, MTN and Vodafone has disclosed that they will increase their tariffs from November 1, 2018.

A statement released by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and signed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey has revealed that these Telecom Companies operating in the Country will charge more from their customers from next month going.

According to the Ghana Chamber of Communications, the hike in tariffs is in sync with the implementation of the new tax laws – VAT (ACT 970), NHIL (ACT 971) and GETFL (ACT 972).

The Telcos are set to increase their tariffs in accordance with the new VAT as well as levies.

The statement indicated that MTN, Vodafone and AirtelTigo, “who are responsible corporate entities, would comply fully with Ghana’s laws and ensure the distinction between VAT and the new levies emanating from their separate origins and basis in law”, adding that: “As intended, the incidence of the two new levies will, thus, be on consumers and will result in the increase of the cost of telecommunication services”.

Below is the full statement from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications:

NOTICE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS TARIFF MODIFICATIONS FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VAT (ACT 970), NHIL (ACT 971) & GETFL (ACT 972)

Accra, October 17, 2018 – The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications on behalf of its members – AirtelTigo, MTN and Vodafone – wishes to notify its esteemed customers and the general public of tariff modifications following the implementation of the new tax laws.

The government, as part of the 2018 mid-year review of the budget amended the Acts referenced above.

The objective was to “give effect to the conversion of NHIL and GETFL into levies that are not subject to the input-output mechanism, and delinking them from VAT by removing the option of input tax deductibility,” thereby giving both levies a unique and different legal identity and distinguished from VAT.

Our members, who are responsible corporate entities, would comply fully with Ghana’s laws and ensure the distinction between VAT and the new levies emanating from their separate origins and basis in law.

As intended the incidence of the two new levies will thus be on consumers and will result in the increase of the cost of telecommunication services.

Customers of telecommunication services will be notified by their service providers prior to any changes being made and the expected changes will take effect on 1st of November 2018.

The telecommunications industry remains committed to full transparency and accountability to both the Government of Ghana and their customers.

Signed
Kenneth Ashigbey
Chief Executive Officer
Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications