MTN Reviews Voice, Data Tariffs Upwards Over Increase In Health Insurance Levy

Customers of the telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana, will be paying more for calls and data services from Saturday, May 1, 2021.

This was announced by MTN Ghana in a statement on Friday, April 30, 2021.

According to the company, this is to make up for the 1% increase in the National Health Insurance Levy following the introduction of the COVID-19 health recovery levy by the government.

MTN, in the statement said, “Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana) wishes to inform you that following the introduction of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, which has resulted in a 1% increase in the National Health Insurance Levy, talk time and data charges have been adjusted to reflect the tax change.”

“This takes effect from 1st May 2021.”

The government announced in the 2021 budget that it will be introducing a COVID-19 Health Levy of 1% on VAT Flat Rate Scheme (VFRS), and a 1% on National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) as part of revenue measures to help the economy recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The then Caretaker Finance Minister, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who announced the new levy during the 2021 budget reading, said the levies will be used for the procurement of vaccines and the establishment of 14 medical waste treatment facilities.

The COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy Act “imposes a one percent levy on the supply of goods and services made in the country, other than exempt goods or services and the import of goods and services, other than exempt imports”.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the levy “will also assist in the construction of 33 major health projects, the recruitment of more health professionals and agenda 111.”

Parliament approved the new tax and others which will take effect on May 1, 2021.