By Issah Olegor
The Ministry of Finance has granted a tax exemption valued at over GH₵3.2 million to thirty-five public sector medical and dental professionals in good standing with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to clear their imported vehicles at the ports.
This move forms part of a broader government policy to support frontline healthcare workers through non-monetary incentives.
According to an official letter dated 8th May 2025 and signed by Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, the waiver applies specifically to import duty and import VAT on the vehicles.
All other third-party levies and charges, however, remain the responsibility of the applicants.
The request was initiated by the Ministry of Health through correspondence referenced MOH/PSC/2025/LU/VL-FU/001 and dated 22nd March 2025.
The letter sought exemption for 35 public sector doctors and dentists who are current members of the Ghana Medical Association.
Background
This development is rooted in a policy announced in the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, which pledged by then Akufo-Addo led government support in the form of vehicle import tax waivers for medical professionals in the public sector.
The initiative was conceived to boost morale and improve the welfare of critical health personnel amid rising economic pressures and ongoing brain drain in the health sector.
In recent years, Ghana’s public health system has faced increasing strain due to personnel shortages, inadequate logistics, and growing emigration of skilled professionals.
The tax waiver programme is seen by some analysts as a targeted intervention aimed at retaining qualified personnel by offering tangible, non-cash incentives.
Financial Implications
The Ministry of Finance clarified that the exempted taxes—totaling GH₵3,294,978.60—will be debited against the 2025 budgetary allocation of the Ministry of Health.
A copy of the exemption approval has been forwarded to the Budget Division to ensure proper accounting.
Additionally, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), through the Customs Division and Domestic Tax Revenue Division, has been instructed to facilitate the clearance of the vehicles once all third-party charges have been settled by the beneficiaries.
Supporting documents attached to the directive include letters of recommendation from the Ministry of Health, individual tax assessments, and shipping documents such as Bills of Lading.
