Prof. Kobby Mensah of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has challenged Vice President Bawumia to leverage on his influence to get President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to scrap a controversial tax handle.
The UG lecturer was reacting to Bawumia's recent announcement that he was key in getting President Akufo-Addo to agree to specific exemptions for dialysis treatment.
Speaking to a group of clergymen on his Central Regional presidential campaign tour on June 3, Bawumia announced that through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), dialysis treatment for persons below 18 and those above 60 was free starting this month.
"If you managed to speak to the President to agree on free dialysis whilst you are still a Veep, then you can also speak to him to agree on the Tax cuts you mentioned you would when you come to power. Pls convince the President to agree to abolishing E-levy," Prof Mensah posted on X.
According to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the E-Levy is a Levy on all electronic transfers of money apart from those excluded by law. The rate is pegged at 1%.
Government decided to levy electronic transfers, among others to enhance domestic tax mobilisation and expand the tax base and to provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute towards national development.
The levy was controversially passed and has since failed to achieve the revenue target set for it.
If you managed to speak to the President to agree on free dialysis whilst you are still a Veep, then you can also speak to him to agree on the Tax cuts you mentioned you would when you come to power. Pls convince the President to agree to abolishing E-levy 🤷♀️ https://t.co/aEcPcqoa5s
— Prof. Kobby Mensah (@thePOE_T) June 3, 2024
NHIS announces free dialysis for some kidney patients
Starting June 1, 2024, through December 2024, individuals who are under 18 and over 60 years of age and suffering from kidney diseases will be eligible for eight free dialysis sessions monthly, this is according to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This initiative, revealed by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), celebrates the scheme's 20th anniversary.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, Dr. Da-Costa Aboagye, confirmed in a statement that this effort is part of the anniversary festivities.
An amount of GH¢2,000,000.00 has been sanctioned by the government of Ghana and approved by parliament, as outlined in the NHIA's 2024 Allocation Formula.
The aim is to assist the financially-challenged and vulnerable patients in need of dialysis treatments.
In addition, the NHIA has dedicated an extra GH¢2,400,000.00 from its Corporate Social Responsibility budget, approved for the scheme, to further support this significant health intervention.
“As part of NHIA’s 20th Anniversary, the NHIA, through administrative arrangements has allocated an additional GH¢2,400,000.00, under the Corporate Social Responsibility approved budget of the scheme to support this initiative,” the statement said.
The report also stated that following the verification of patients currently undergoing dialysis, the monthly cost for those within the specified categories is estimated at GH¢329,952.
By the conclusion of December 2024, the total expenditure is anticipated to reach approximately GH¢2.3 million.
See the statement here:
SARA
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