Beginning today November 1, 2018, telephone calls, text messages, internet services and other telecommunication services are going up, up to 5%.
The increment which was announced a fortnight ago by mobile phone operators, MTN, AirtelTigo and Vodafone has become necessary following the amendments of the VAT law which delinks NHIL and GETFund levies from VAT.
An earlier statement signed by CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Kenneth Ashigbey said the networks will pass on the cost of the new levies to their consumers which will result in the increase of the cost of telecommunication services.
“The objective was to “give effect to the conversion of NHIL and GETFL into levies that are not subject to the input-output mechanism, and delinking them from VAT by removing the option of input tax deductibility,” thereby giving both levies a unique and different legal identity and distinguished from VAT,” the statement added.
According to the Chamber, their members are responsible corporate entities who would comply fully with Ghana’s laws and ensure the distinction between VAT and the new levies emanating from their separate origins and basis in law.
“Our members, who are responsible corporate entities, would comply fully with Ghana’s laws and ensure the distinction between VAT and the new levies emanating from their separate origins and basis in law.”
“As intended the incidence of the two new levies will thus be on consumers and will result in the increase of the cost of telecommunication services.
“Customers of telecommunication services will be notified by their service providers prior to any changes being made and the expected changes will take effect on 1st of November 2018”.
Read the entire statement below;
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications on behalf of its members – AirtelTigo, MTN and Vodafone – wishes to notify its esteemed customers and the general public of tariff modifications following the implementation of the new tax laws.
The government as part of the 2018 mid-year review of the budget amended the Acts referenced above.
The objective was to “give effect to the conversion of NHIL and GETFL into levies that are not subject to the input-output mechanism, and delinking them from VATby removing the option of input tax deductibility,” thereby giving both levies a unique and different legal identity and distinguished from VAT.
Our members, who are responsible corporate entities, would comply fully with Ghana’s laws and ensure the distinction between VAT and the new levies emanating from their separate origins and basis in law. As intended the incidence of the two new levies will thus be on consumers and will result in the increase of the cost of telecommunication services.
Customers of telecommunication services will be notified by their service providers prior to any changes being made and the expected changes will take effect on 1st of November 2018.
The telecommunications industry remains committed to full transparency and accountability to both the Government of Ghana and their customers.
