No more automatic tax waivers for medical equipment imports - Mahama

John Dramani Mahama stated on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Accra that the government will no longer grant blanket tax exemptions for imported medical equipment. He said, "Regarding tax exemptions, blanket exemptions are no longer granted. It is on a case-by-case basis."

Institutions importing specialised medical equipment can apply for tax relief, but each request will be assessed on its merits. The announcement was made when Mr. Mahama commissioned a positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET CT) scan facility at the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre in Accra. The Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083) requires prior written approval from the Finance Minister before tax exemptions can be granted. According to the Ministry of Finance, Ghana lost GH¢4.6 billion to tax expenditures in 2023, while the World Bank estimated the total cost of tax exemptions at 3.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

Mr. Mahama announced that the PET CT facility would operate under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares, to support eligible cancer patients with diagnosis and treatment costs. He also disclosed that the government was expanding specialised healthcare infrastructure nationwide, including newly procured catheterisation laboratories for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital. Plans are underway to construct regional hospitals in the newly created regions, as well as cardiology centres.