The Telecommunication companies in Ghana have today October 1, 2019, began charging a 9% Communication Services Tax.
The tax which was initially 6% was increased to 9% when the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced the decision in Parliament on July 2019 during the presentation of the 2019 mid-year budget review.
The telecommunication companies have already sent text messages to their customers about the new development which they say will be “applied to every recharge.â€
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“Dear customer, with the increase in Communications Service Tax – CST to 9%, effective 1st October 2019, CST of 9% will be applied to every recharge. Thank you,†a Vodafone text read.
The effect of this development on customers according to Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications is that “for every ¢1 of recharge purchased, a 9% CST fee will be charged leaving ¢0.93 for the purchase of products and services.â€
The Minister for Finance Ken Ofori-Atta says the increase in the tax was to help develop the foundation for a viable technology ecosystem in the county.
This will comprise putting in systems to identify and combat cybercrime, protect users of information technology and combat money laundering and other financial crimes.
Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced an upward adjustment in the existing tariffs for electricity and water consumers.
Electricity has gone up by 5.94 % and water has also gone up by 2.22 %.
Transport fares were recently also increased by Ghana Private Transportation Union (GPRTU). This followed the recent increment in fuel prices.Â
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