Parliament approves abolition of COVID-19 levy

Parliament has approved the repeal of the COVID-19 levy. The levy, introduced under the Akufo-Addo administration to support pandemic-related expenditures, has now been scrapped following the Finance Minister’s announcement of its repeal in the 2026 budget.

The government says the decision is aimed at boosting household incomes, supporting businesses, and accelerating economic transformation.

During the debate on the motion, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin welcomed the repeal but called for broader tax relief.

He urged the government to ‘go further’ by removing the One Ghana Cedi levy on petroleum products and the 18 percent electricity tariffs, stating this would demonstrate a genuine commitment to eliminating what he described as nuisance taxes.