Fresh levies to hit Ghanaians

The Ministry of Finance has presented to Parliament fresh proposals submitted by some twenty-nine (29) Ministries, Departments and Agencies for an upward review of their fees and charges across board for the public services they render.

The proposals, which have already been laid in parliament, are currently going through the mandatory 21 days count, but it appears parliament will rise before the 21 days are up, so then the count down will continue only when parliament resumes after the break.

The Departments and Agencies that are seeking to increase their fees and charges include the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Ghana Highway Authority, some Government Hospitals and Medical Facilities and Ghana Tourism Board.

Others are; the Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Board, Ghana Free Zones Board, Ghana Immigration Service, Narcotics Control Board, the Pharmacy Council, Ghana Prisons Service, Lands Commission, Plant Protection and Regulatory Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the Wa Polytechnic.

The Wa Polytechnic is the only educational institution listed by the Ministry of Education with proposals to increase their Academic Facility User Fees, Admission Fees, Registration Fees, Examination Fees, Matriculation Fees, Library Fees and Sports Fees among several other fees.

If Parliament approves of the proposals, new entrants into the Wa Polytechnic will now pay Academic Facility User fee of GHc138.00 instead of GHc125.00. Tuition Fees will climb up from GHc192.00 to GHc211.00. Examination fees from GHc55.00 to Ghc61.00, and Sport fees from GHc45.00 to GHc50.00.

The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the Pantang Hospital are also asking for increases in their fees for their services. Korle-Bu is asking to increase fees for Diagnostic services, Dental/Oral charges, surgical operations and medical examinations and several other services.

Pantang is asking to increase mortuary fees, feeding and accommodation, OPD services, laboratory tests charges, consultation charges, documentation and sanitation fees among several other fees. If parliament approves their proposals mortuary fees will jump GH3.00 to GHc5.00 per day for the first week, then GHc7.00 per day for the second week and GH12.00 per day in the third week.

Food and Drugs Board is asking to increase fees for Food Product Registration and Locally Manufactured Food Products. The want to raise product registration fees for imported goods like tooth paste, detergents, mosquito coils and spray, soap, cosmetics, food supplements veterinary medicines and many more.

They are also asking to increase registration fees for local medicinal products, herbal products, clinical trial authorization, permits for the export of palm oil, movement of un-iodated salt, street vendors and chop bars, licensed canteens and several others fees for old and new items.

The Ghana Immigration Service is also seeking to raise fees for work permits, residence permits, transit permits, re-entry permits, emergency entry permits, student permits, expired visitors permits, aliens’ identity cards, and many other fees for violations of immigration laws.

The Ghana Tourism Board wants increases in the registration, licensing, permit and operational fees for all forms of Accommodation and Establishments under the Board. Consequently, all Hotels, Motels, Hostels, Guesthouses, Holiday Apartments, Tourism Facilities, Catering Services, Entertainment Centers, Car Rental Companies and Conferencing Facilities will attract new and higher fees.

For example, a Grade One Night Club will now pay a license fee of GHc450.00 instead of GHc250.00. Travel and Tour Operators will now pay GHc200.00 instead of GHc95.00. A Grade One Theatre or Movie House will now attract a license fee of GHc500.00 while a Grade One Conference Facility will pay GH10, 000.00.

Under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the cost of passport forms are to go up, processing and renewal fees will go up, endorsement and authentication fees will go up, visa fees, cost of travel certificates and dual citizenship forms and processing will all go up in some selected countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Road Worthiness and Road User fees, Licensing duties, Vehicle Registration and all manner of fees are to go up. But road tolls will remain unchanged. Then at the Lands Commission also fees and charges are to go up for most of their permits, forms, licenses and services.

All these are happening at a time that prices of petroleum products are going up, utility tariffs are also expected to go up, and several new taxes have just been introduced.