The government will persist in collecting the COVID-19 recovery levy to address the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, according to Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei Asare. This stance comes in response to growing calls from the Minority in Parliament and various public sectors to eliminate taxes like the COVID levy and e-levy to ease the financial burdens on Ghanaians, who are grappling with a high cost of living.

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During a Public Accounts Committee hearing on Wednesday, July 24, Osei Asare highlighted the necessity of the levy, despite the official end of the pandemic. She stressed the continuing need for funding to maintain the country’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines, which are crucial for building citizens' immunity."COVID is no more, but we still feel the impact of COVID.

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There are many things that we did during COVID-19 that we are now having to take care of," Osei Asare explained.When asked about a potential end date for the COVID levy, she could not provide a specific timeline but noted that its introduction in Parliament came with the agreement that it would be subject to review after a certain period."What I know is that COVID-19 vaccines are still in the system and, Mr. Chairman, they are not for free.

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We still have to service the 10 million bond loans we took from the Bank of Ghana," she added.Meanwhile, Allan Kyerematen, leader of the Movement for Change, has also called for the abolition of the COVID-19 levy and the Ghana Health Service disinfection fee during the launch of his Great Transformation Agenda.

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He questioned the relevance of these fees in 2024, asking, "How can we be collecting COVID fees and disinfection fees in 2024?"Kyerematen further outlined plans to phase out taxes and charges on imported spare parts within two years if his administration is established under a government of National Unity.

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The ongoing debate over the COVID-19 levy reflects broader concerns about the financial pressures on Ghanaians and the government's strategy for economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.

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