The Chairperson of the COVID-19 Trust Fund, Sophia Akuffo, has revealed that all companies that have donated to the national fund will enjoy some tax reliefs.
She said the companies will enjoy the benefit when they report at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to file their tax returns.
Speaking at an event at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, Sophia Akuffo, said the move by the GRA is aimed at rewarding companies and institutions that responded to calls for a national fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We’re also happy to announce that the Ghana Revenue Authority has confirmed that tax reliefs will be available to donors who make donations to the COVID-19 National Trust Fund when filing their tax returns. This is subject to fulfilling requirements that the GRA has set out in its recently published guidelines for their implementation of the tax incentives in support of taxpayers against the pandemic,” she said.
The COVID-19 National Trust Fund has in a short while received many donations and contributions from businesses and individuals to complement the efforts of government in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
The Fund, which has so far received over GHS50 million, is to help improve the lives of the vulnerable who are worst-hit by the pandemic.
In turn, the Fund has also begun donations of distributed toiletries, PPE and other essential medical items to the Ghana Health Service, COVID-19 Care Team and some selected health institutions.
Over 12 vehicles have also been handed over to public hospitals and laboratories involved in the testing and treatment of COVID-19 cases as part of fulfilling its purpose.
Calls for accountability
Meanwhile, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has asked government and trustees in charge of the COVID-19 Fund to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of the fund.
The Coalition in a statement also urged the government and all other persons in charge of procuring goods and services in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak to be “guided by value for money considerations and strictly abide by public procurement laws.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama has also called for an audit of the Fund.
He has asked administrators of the Fund to keep receipts of expenditure to enhance accountability in the management of the Fund.
