Tax reliefs for health workers implemented

The Controller and Accountant-General has implemented the three months’ tax relief granted to all health workers as directed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his recent address to the nation on COVID-19.

While addressing the nation on April 5, 2020, on measures taken by the government to contain the disease, the President announced a number of packages for health professionals at the forefront of the fight.

Among the measures were tax reliefs for the months of April, May and June, an insurance package of GH¢350,000 for each health worker and allied professional at the forefront of the fight, as well as an additional allowance of 50 per cent of their basic salary per month for the months of April, May and June.

Implementation

Announcing the status of implementation of the directive, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, in a statement signed by the acting Controller and Accountant General, Mr Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, indicated that the tax reliefs would accordingly reflect in the three months of April, May and June 2020.

On the 50 per cent basic salary as allowance for frontline workers, the department said it had engaged the Ministry of Health on the modalities for effecting the payment.

“Three months’ tax relief for all health workers has been effected. This will reflect in each of the three months (April, May and June 2020) payroll.

“On the 50 per cent of basic salary as allowance for frontline health workers for the next three months, the Department has engaged the Ministry of Health on the modalities for effecting the payment,” the statement indicated.

Pledges

The department further revealed that it had also implemented pledges by the President and the Vice-President to donate their three months’ salaries to the National COVID-19 Fund established by the government.

Other pledges by the Chief of Staff, all Ministers of State and other government appointees who also pledged 50 per cent of their three months’ salaries to the fund had also been implemented, the statement noted.

“The Controller and Accountant-General wishes to inform the general public that these directives have been implemented and the results will reflect after April 2020 Payroll Run,” it stated.

Assurance

The department further assured all pensioners and government workers that despite the partial lockdown, “adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that pensions and salaries for the month of April 2020 are paid as scheduled.”