News
‘Don’t scrap COVID-19 Levy …establish separate account, ensure accountability’ – SEND Ghana
• Mrs Harriet Agyemang speaking at the forum
Unlike other groups that describe the COVID-19 Levy as “nuisance tax,” Civil Society Group, SEND Ghana has asked the government not to scrap the levy which was introduced about two years ago.
Rather, it wants the levy redirected to addressing existing challenges in the health sector and a separate account established for it.
It said the current arrangement, where the contributions were paid into the Consolidated Fund, made it difficult to independently track how much revenue had accrued from the levy.
Mrs Harriet Agyemang, Senior Programmes Officer, made the call after presenting details of SEND Ghana’s analysis of the 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy read in November last year by Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta.
While advising prudent management of the funds, she said the distinct account for the COVID-19 Levy should as well spell out how the tax was managed and what it would be used for.”
“Until the Finance Ministry comes out to say how much it has collected, you cannot track it [the levy] as you would. This is why we suggest the levy should have [an account] so we know what we are going to use the fund for, who is managing it and how it is being managed so we can call for some accountability every now and then,” she explained.
Mrs. Agyemang added that there were still gaps in the health sector in terms of number and distribution of health professionals across the country, unavailability of equipment, among other challenges, therefore, it was important to put aside adequate resources to address them.
“When COVID-19 struck, we all saw that our health system was not resilient. Communication and health promotion needs to be funded, we need to step up surveillance so that some of these diseases could be identified and nipped in the bud.
“Surveillance is not done only by health professionals but it starts in the communities and we need money to do these. If we were doing it, I am sure the impact of COVID-19 would have been lesser than we felt it,” she added.
She further noted that the decline in donor support for the health sector implied that the government ought to do more to fund the health system and make it more resilient.
Touching on other sectors of the economy, the Programmes Officer urged the Ministry of Finance to release the funds promptly for the projects, initiatives, and interventions captured in the 2023 budget.
“Beyond the budget statement, the ministry should release the funds for their intended purposes. When the funds get to the sector ministries they should also utilise the funds,” Mrs. Agyemang stated.
SEND Ghana, in other parts of its analysis, said although the services sector continued to boom, the government needed to increase investment in the agriculture sector to help reduce importation of essential and basic food commodities.
By Ernest Nutsugah
Ghanaian cinema continues to break boundaries as Vibes The Movie has received an official nomination at the prestigious Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) in Toronto.
This latest international recognition is another proud moment for Ghana and a powerful testament to the creativity, originality, and global appeal of Ghanaian storytelling.
Directed by Big Ghun and starring Jeffrey Nortey, Vibes The Movie evolved from the hugely successful social media series, where the beloved characters Obolo Tui and Lil Pui captured the hearts of millions with their unique blend of rap, comedy, and relatable stories about the everyday struggles and ambitions of Ghanaian youth.
The film has already brought honour to Ghana on the international stage, most recently winning an Outstanding Achievement Award at the American Motion Pictures Festival in the United States.
The Chronicle noted that the film was recognized for its originality, craftsmanship, and storytelling impact among a competitive pool of global entries.
Now, with a nomination at TINFF in Canada, Vibes The Movie continues its remarkable journey from the streets of Accra to some of the world’s most respected film platforms.
The nomination underscores the growing global appreciation for authentic African stories and confirms that Ghanaian filmmakers are making a significant mark in international cinema.
As Vibes The Movie flies the Black Star high in Toronto, Ghana celebrates yet another cultural achievement that showcases the country’s talent, resilience, and storytelling excellence to the world
A prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has broken silence on the deep-seated internal machinations within the party, warning that the continuous victimization of members could severely jeopardize unity ahead of the general elections.
In a post on the party’s internal democratic processes, the former National Entrpreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) boss, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah revealed how personal ambitions were stifled by party elites in the Asante Akyem Central constituency, despite overwhelming grassroots support.
According to the aggrieved party member, the decision to run for the parliamentary seat was not a self-serving agenda but a direct response to a call to service by the local constituents.
“My Asante Akyem Central people loved my politics and approached me to come and serve them as MP,” he stated.
He added that “But my own party elders blocked me and supported the incumbent MP to cheat through the system as if I was an outsider.”
The unfair playing field he revealed led to a massive financial distress. The stalwart disclosed incurring massive debts across two consecutive primary election cycles, alongside other personal challenges.
Despite the systemic sabotage, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah noted that he remained loyal, continuously defending both the NPP party and the government’s policies at all levels.
“Seeing what’s going on in the current polling station elections in several constituencies, it seems not much has changed,” he warned.
“The victimization of those who want to challenge current or former MPs should stop,” he stated.
With the general elections approaching, he cautioned,”You don’t treat party people anyhow and expect unconditional unity for the general elections.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
