The telecommunications giant MTN Ghana has served notice that it will increase its call and data charges starting from 1 May 2021.

The company said in a text message to its subscribers: “Following the introduction of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, resulting in a 1% increase in the National Health Insurance Levy, your talk time/data volumes will be adjusted to reflect the tax change.

“This takes effect from 1 May 2021. Keep safe and remember to wear your mask everywhere you go. Thank you.”

About the COVID-19 levy

During the presentation of the 2021 Budget, the government introduced COVID-19 Health Levy of 1% on VAT under a flat-rate scheme and 1% on the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), in line with revenue measures to help the economy recover.

The government says the levies will be used to procure vaccines and establish 14 medical waste treatment facilities.

It will also “assist in the construction of 33 major health projects, the recruitment of more health professionals and Agenda 111”.

Agenda 111 will involve the construction of 100-bed-capacity hospitals in 101 districts with no hospitals. It will entail the largest ever investment in health-care infrastructure in Ghana’s history and is in line with the Akufo-Addo-led government’s vision of growth for Ghana’s health-care sector.