The President, Nana Akufo-Addo has extended the incentive package for health workers for three more months as they continue to lead the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
This means all health workers in the country will continue to enjoy income-tax-free salaries for the months of July, August and September.
Additionally, frontline health workers will also continue to receive 50 percent of their basic salary as allowances for the same period.
The President announced these during his 13th national address on Sunday, June 28, 2020, where he gave an update on Ghana’s response measures against the continuous rise in the number of COVID-19 infections in the country.
“I am happy to announce that I have decided to extend the incentive package for health workers by another three months. This means that all health workers will pay no income taxes for the next three months, i.e. July, August and September. Again, all frontline health workers, as defined by the Ministry of Health, will continue to receive the additional allowance of 50% of their basic salary per month, i.e. for July, August and September.”
First incentive
The President first announced the three-month tax holiday for the health workers at the beginning of April 2020.
Although the free tax package has been implemented, that of the 50 percent allowance is yet to be carried out given the seeming controversy over the definition and qualification of a frontline health worker.
However, President Akufo- Addo says issues with the packages as earlier announced for the past three months have been resolved with the rollout of the payment plan to begin soon.
“I know the implementation of this directive for the months of April, May and June has been fraught with some challenges, caused, mainly, by the protracted discussions over the definition of who qualifies as “frontline health workers” in this context. I have, however, been assured that they have now been resolved, and payments will be effected from the end of June. I should reiterate that the insurance package for health workers is still in place.”
Nana Akufo-Addo said the incentives form part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that health workers are supported as they deliver essential services to the populace especially amidst the outbreak of Coronavirus.
“This is, in part, due to the immense dedication and hard work being exhibited by our healthcare workers, who continue to care for those affected by the virus, and for the sick in general.”
