No more automatic tax waivers for medical equipment imports – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will no longer grant blanket tax exemptions for imported medical equipment, stating that future applications for tax relief will be assessed individually on a case-by-case basis.

The President made the announcement on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, during the commissioning of a new PET CT Scan Facility at the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre.

Responding to appeals from operators of the facility for tax concessions on imported medical equipment, Mr. Mahama explained that the era of automatic tax exemptions had come to an end as part of broader efforts to improve fiscal discipline and reduce revenue losses.

“In Twi, we say when someone climbs a good tree, you push them. Regarding tax exemptions, blanket exemptions are no longer granted. It is on a case-by-case basis,” the President stated.

Despite the policy shift, Mr. Mahama assured healthcare institutions and investors that applications for exemptions on specialised medical equipment would still receive favourable consideration where justified.

“If you order any medical equipment, you can apply for exemption on that equipment, and I can assure you that we will look at it very favourably,” he added.

Under Exemptions Act, 2022, all tax exemptions require prior written approval from the Finance Minister before they can be granted.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Ghana lost approximately GH¢4.6 billion in tax expenditures in 2023, while the World Bank estimated the total cost of tax exemptions at 3.9 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mahama Commissions PET CT Facility

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Mahama described the new PET CT scan facility as a major advancement in Ghana’s healthcare system, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other complex diseases.

He explained that the technology would significantly improve early disease detection, treatment monitoring and overall patient care outcomes.

“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 said.

The President noted that many Ghanaians have historically travelled abroad for advanced diagnostic services due to limited local medical infrastructure, often at enormous financial and emotional costs.

According to him, the establishment of the PET CT facility will reduce the need for overseas medical referrals while strengthening confidence in Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.

Mr. Mahama also expressed optimism about positioning Ghana as a regional hub for specialised medical diagnosis and healthcare services within the Economic Community of West African States 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 stated.

MahamaCares to Support Cancer Patients

The President further announced that the PET CT facility would operate under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund initiative, popularly known as MahamaCares, to support eligible cancer patients with diagnostic and treatment costs.

He acknowledged the financial burden cancer places on families, noting that many households are pushed into economic hardship when a relative is diagnosed with the disease.

“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.

Expansion of Specialised Healthcare Infrastructure

President Mahama also disclosed that government is expanding specialised healthcare infrastructure nationwide.

According to him, newly procured catheterisation laboratories are expected to be installed at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital to strengthen cardiac care services.

He added that plans are also underway to construct regional hospitals in Ghana’s newly created regions and establish cardiology centres aimed at reducing pressure on major referral hospitals.

The President called on private investors, medical professionals and healthcare institutions to partner with government in expanding advanced healthcare services across the country.