2026 budget: Importers push for scrap of COVID-19 and import levies

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana are urging the government to remove certain levies and lower specific tax rates, particularly the COVID-19 Levy and the Special Import Levy, in the 2026 national budget.

While they commend the government’s progress in reducing inflation and strengthening the economy, they believe more needs to be done to lower the cost of doing business.

In an interview, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Samson Asaki Awingobit, appealed to the Minister of Finance to introduce measures that will bring lasting relief to the trading community.

“We want the COVID-19 Levy and the Special Import Levy abolished.

“We also want the exchange rate used by Customs at the ports to be fixed for at least the next three to four months. By this, I mean a stable rate that businesses can plan around,” he said.

He further suggested that the Minister of Finance should consider merging some levies, such as the COVID-19 Levy, GETFund Levy, and National Health Insurance Levy, into the Value Added Tax (VAT) structure.

Additionally, he proposed reintroducing the former input-output tax mechanisms at the ports to support traders.

“We want to use this opportunity to say that, so far, the government is doing well, but scrapping these taxes will bring much-needed relief to importers and exporters and help stabilize the economy,” Mr. Awingobit added.