Tax analysts advise gov’t to repurpose COVID-19 levy to fund ‘Mahama Cares’

The African Centre for Tax Policy Research (ACTPR) is urging the government to reconsider its plan to abolish the 1% COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy.

Instead, the Centre proposes that the levy be repurposed to fund the newly proposed Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as “Mahama Cares.”

Currently, the centre noted that plans to fund the Trust rely on portions of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), government allocations, voluntary donations, and donor support. However, the ACTPR has raised concerns about the sustainability and reliability of these sources, noting t

hat voluntary contributions are often unpredictable and politically vulnerable. The Centre pointed out that the COVID-19 levy alone generated over GHS 3 billion in 2024, demonstrating its potential as a consistent revenue stream.

The ACTPR further argued that by restructuring the levy including making input Value Added Tax (VAT) deductible for businesses and ring-fencing the funds exclusively for critical healthcare, the government can establish a sustainable financing mechanism for life-saving treatments while easing the burden on businesses.

In an interview with Citi Business News, tax consultant with the Centre, Francis Timore Boi, stated:
“These are voluntary contributions, and they are unpredictable and politically vulnerable. They are unlikely to meet the recurring, high-cost nature of dialysis and other chronic diseases.”

He continued: “Although the government plans to abolish the 1% COVID-19 levy, we believe it can be reformed and redirected towards the Trust Fund. In 2024 alone, the levy raised about GHS 3 billion. Given the serious and ongoing financial needs associated with chronic illnesses, it would be ideal to secure a reliable and permanent source of funding.”

Timore Boi stressed that transparency in the management of the funds would be crucial in winning public support: “We believe Ghanaians will back this initiative, especially if there is clear accountability on how the money is used to assist people living with chronic conditions.”

The Mahama Cares initiative aims to provide financial support for the treatment of chronic and high-cost illnesses such as kidney failure, cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases, ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied critical healthcare due to financial constraints.