'COVID-19 Levy to be Removed by End of 2025' - Deputy Finance Minister
Accra, Ghana - 27 March, 2025 - Ghana's government has pledged to scrap the COVID-19 levy by the end of 2025, as part of its efforts to alleviate economic pressures on households and businesses.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem assured that the tax will be abolished, in line with President Mahama's administration promise to repeal the Value Added Tax (VAT) rationalisation process during an interview with Joy News.
The move is part of the government's broader commitment to abolishing all nuisance taxes. The Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy) and the betting tax have already been scrapped. When asked about potential further tax repeals, Mr. Nyarko Ampem remained cautious, citing the need for economic recovery before making any promises.
“....at this time it would be difficult to make any promises but as the economy picks up, we wouldn’t mind to repeal taxes”.
“The COVID-19 levy will be considered alongside the VAT rationalisation process that we have been committed to do. So, when that process is done, I believe the COVID [levy] would also be removed. I’m looking at towards the end of the year if we are able to finish the rationalisation processes, we would be able to do that.”
“So, we are working towards the rationalisation of all these promises he made”, he added.
The COVID-19 levy's abolition is expected to coincide with the VAT reform process, which aims to remove the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy and treat health and education levies as VAT. This move is anticipated to reduce the effective VAT rate for households and businesses.
Source: Lead News Online
