14/11/2025
Hon. Gloria Owusu, Trobu MP writes:
STATEMENT ON MISREPRESENTATION OF MY COMMENTS ON THE COVID-19 LEVY.
My attention has been drawn to circulating posts on social media suggesting that I do not appreciate how Parliament operates, particularly regarding when measures announced in the national budget take effect. These claims are based on a deliberate misunderstanding of comments I made during a media interview following the presentation of the 2026 Budget.
For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, the Finance Minister has promised to abolish the COVID-19 levy twice this year.
1. In 2025, the Minister for Finance informed Parliament that the COVID-19 -Levy would be abolished and that a committee had been established to review VAT policies with the aim of abolishing the COVID-19 levy. However, the COVID-19 levy was not abolished in 2025 and continued to be applied throughout the year.
2. Yesterday, when the 2026 Budget was read, the Minister announced that he would be introducing some VAT reforms alongside a repeal bill to abolish the E-Levy. During my interview, I was asked by the interviewer, “They say, the Covid 19 levy has been abolished” and I responded accurately, as of today, the COVID-19 levy remains in force this was for emphasis for the general public to know that announcements of programs in parliament do not necessarily take effect immediately. This is basic parliamentary procedure and I have never contradicted it.
4. It is important to state that the video currently circulating on social media is only a small portion of the full interview and therefore does not give the full context of my explanation to the question asked by the interviewer.
5. My comment simply clarified a factual point, no matter what is proposed in the 2026 Budget, the COVID-19 levy remains active until Parliament passes the necessary amendment or repeal. Announcing an intention in a budget is not the same as the levy being abolished today.
6. Any interpretation suggesting that I am unaware of parliamentary processes is therefore unfair, misleading and taken entirely out of context.
7. I remain committed to providing accurate information to the public and will continue to engage constructively on matters of national interest.
8. God bless our homeland Ghana!🙏🏿🇬🇭
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