Kwadwo Amoateng, President of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), has urged President-elect John Mahama not to scrap the COVID-19 levy as promised in his social contract with the people of Ghana.
President-Elect Mahama’s first 120 days social contract includes removing the COVID-19 levy, along with other taxes, within his first 90 days in office to alleviate hardships and reduce the high cost of doing business.
However, Amoateng suggests repurposing the COVID levy as a Dialysis or NHIS levy to support the health sector.
“Mind you, we are a developing country.
We don’t have the luxury when it comes to money.”
“So, if we can move that COVID money to also help the health sector, why not? We can do that.”
He argued that the current name of the levy discourages payments, particularly in a country facing financial constraints.
Amoateng also noted that business owners are eager for the dollar rate to be pegged at the port to ease the challenges faced by importers.
