President John Dramani Mahama says the government will no longer grant automatic tax waivers for imported medical equipment.
According to him, institutions that import specialised medical equipment can still apply for tax relief. However, each application will now go through individual assessment.
Mr. Mahama announced the policy on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, during the commissioning of a new PET CT scan facility at the Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre in Accra.
The President made the remarks after operators of the facility appealed for tax concessions.
He explained that the government had ended the system of blanket tax exemptions.
Mr. Mahama said requests for exemptions would still receive consideration where necessary. He added that the government would review applications for imported medical equipment favourably if they meet the required conditions.
Under the Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083), institutions must receive written approval from the Finance Minister before they can benefit from tax exemptions.
Data from the Ministry of Finance showed that Ghana lost GH¢4.6 billion through tax expenditures in 2023. The World Bank also estimated that tax exemptions cost the country about 3.9 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Mahama described the new PET CT scan facility as a major boost for Ghana’s healthcare system, especially in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
He said the technology would help doctors detect diseases early and monitor treatment more effectively.
The President noted that many Ghanaians often travel abroad for specialised medical tests because local facilities remain limited. According to him, the new centre would reduce the need for foreign referrals and improve confidence in Ghana’s healthcare system.
Mr. Mahama also expressed hope that Ghana could become a hub for specialised medical diagnosis in West Africa.
He said patients from countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Togo and Burkina Faso could travel to Ghana for advanced medical diagnosis.
The President urged private investors and professional groups to support the expansion of advanced healthcare services across the country.
He further announced that the PET CT facility would operate under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares. The programme will support eligible cancer patients with diagnosis and treatment costs.
Mr Mahama also disclosed that government is expanding specialised healthcare infrastructure nationwide. He said newly procured catheterisation laboratories would soon serve the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital.
He added that government also plans to build regional hospitals in the newly created regions and establish cardiology centres to reduce pressure on referral hospitals.
