Ghana Ends Auto Tax Waivers On Medical Imports, Eyes Nigeria As Africa Hub

President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has declared an end to blanket tax exemptions on imported medical equipment, signalling a major policy shift as the moves to strengthen accountability in the healthcare sector while positioning itself as a regional destination for specialist medical care.

Mahama said future tax relief requests for imported medical equipment would now be treated on a case-by-case basis, with approvals granted only after careful assessment.

The president said his administration envisioned Ghana becoming a leading destination for specialist healthcare services in the West African sub-region.

“I envision people coming from Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and other ECOWAS states to seek specialist medical diagnosis here in Ghana,” he said.

The Ghanaian leader made the announcement on Wednesday during the inauguration of a new positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET CT) scan facility at the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre in Accra.

Responding to appeals by operators of the facility for tax exemptions, Mahama stressed that the era of automatic waivers had ended.

“In Twi, we say when someone climbs a good tree, you push them. With regards to tax exemptions, blanket tax exemptions are no longer given. It is on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

He, however, assured investors and healthcare providers that genuine applications linked to critical medical infrastructure would still receive favourable consideration. “If you order any medical equipment, you can apply for exemption on those equipment, and I can assure you that we will look at it very favourably,” the President added.

Mahama said the newly inaugurated PET CT scan facility marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s healthcare development, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

According to him, the advanced technology would enable doctors to detect diseases at earlier stages and monitor treatment outcomes with greater precision.

“Today’s event is not merely the unveiling of a machine. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana’s healthcare journey anchored in innovation, accessibility and renewed hope for our people,” he stated.

He called on private investors, medical professionals and corporate organisations to support the government’s efforts by investing in modern healthcare facilities and specialised medical services.

Mahama also announced that the PET CT facility would operate under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, to assist eligible cancer patients with diagnosis and treatment costs.

He noted that cancer treatment remained financially devastating for many families across the region. “The treatment and diagnosis of cancer can be very expensive. Many families are impoverished when a member of the family is afflicted by cancer,” he said.

The president further disclosed that the government was expanding specialised healthcare infrastructure nationwide through the procurement of catheterisation laboratories for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital.

He added that plans were underway to construct regional hospitals in Ghana’s newly created regions as well as cardiology centres aimed at reducing pressure on major referral hospitals across the country.

The latest policy announcement comes amid growing efforts by African governments to balance investment incentives with revenue mobilisation while improving healthcare delivery and reducing medical tourism outside the continent.