The recent repeal of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy by the government is a welcome development that provides much-needed relief to Ghanaians, especially the poor and vulnerable. For years, this levy, introduced under the guise of pandemic-related health financing, has added an unnecessary financial burden on citizens, many of whom were already struggling with rising living costs.
It is worth recalling that the New Patriotic Party (NPP), while in opposition in 2016, vehemently criticised the then NDC government for introducing insensitive taxes that burdened ordinary Ghanaians. They promised to remove all such obnoxious levies if given the mandate to govern. Yet, ironically, upon assuming office, the NPP introduced even more taxes, one of the most infamous being the COVID-19 levy.
The pandemic was, undeniably, an unfortunate global crisis. However, it appears the levy was used by the government as a tool to extract funds from citizens, instead of efficiently managing resources for pandemic response. To date, questions remain unanswered about the use of the COVID-19 funds and other donor support meant to fight the pandemic, with the former Finance Minister, who is now a fugitive, refusing to provide full accountability even when Parliament demanded accountability; he snubbed the august house and acted as if he were running a private entity.
In light of this, the repeal of the levy is a significant step in the right direction. It removes an extra burden from citizens who have borne the brunt of numerous taxes over the years. Interestingly, the minority has rarely commended the government on such moves, yet the abolition of this levy deserves acknowledgement as a long-overdue relief for the people. A responsible opposition must see a need to praise when it is necessary and reprimand when the need be. It mustn't just be bent on criticising and finding faults all the time.
Ghanaians can now breathe a little easier, with more disposable income in their pockets and businesses relieved of a needless compliance obligation. While the government must still account for the COVID-19 funds transparently, the removal of this levy demonstrates that public pressure and reason can still yield positive outcomes for citizens.
While we celebrate the government for this initiative, we hit hard on the government if this repeal meant a replacement, especially at a time when only a 9 per cent base pay increment has been added to workers' salaries. Ghanaians will not be quiet if the government smuggles in any more levies and taxes to burden the citizens who are already living in abject poverty.
The repeal of the COVID-19 levy is not just a financial relief—it is a reminder that governments must be mindful of the weight of taxation on ordinary people and the promises they make before elections.
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