Parliament has approved a tax waiver of €1,517,040.00 for the installation of integrated e-learning laboratories in senior high schools across the country.

The waiver, proposed by Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, is in accordance with Article 174 (2) of the Constitution and Parliament's Standing Orders.

On June 28, 2024, the Rt. Hon. Speaker sent the waiver proposal to the Finance Committee for detailed review. The Committee held discussions with key stakeholders, including Minister for Education Yaw Osei Adutwum, Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Deputy Minister for Education Professor Kingsley Nyarko, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The Committee examined several documents, including the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Public Financial Management Act, the Parliament Standing Orders, and the €11,594,000.00 Commercial Contract with Televic Group N.V. for the e-learning laboratories (TELEVIC Phase II).

Background

The Integrated E-Learning Laboratories Project aims to enhance ICT facilities in senior high schools. Phase I successfully provided ICT labs to 240 schools and two resource centers. Phase II will extend this to 175 additional senior high schools.

To finance Phase II, the government obtained a Credit Agreement from KBC Bank NV of Belgium for €3,866,425.20, which includes a €272,425.20 Credendo ECA insurance premium. Additionally, a Commercial Contract worth €11,594,000.00 was signed with Televic Group N.V. for project implementation.

As required by Clause 14.1 of the General Conditions of the Contract Agreement, a tax exemption is essential for the project. Without this waiver, the contractor would need to be reimbursed for any taxes and duties paid.