This is contained in a press release by MTN Ghana.

“Tariffs for all voice calls, data and SMS have been amended to reflect the downward adjustment of the CST. In addition, MTN is giving a 5 percent bonus on all types of recharges including physical voucher, Mobile Money and Electronic Voucher Device (EVD),” the release stated.

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MTN Ghana in its press statement noted that adjustments to the new tariffs took effect from September 15, 2020, as announced by the Finance Minister in his 2020 Mid-year Budget Review presentation.

The tariff adjustment coupled with the 5 per cent bonus on every recharge according to Samuel Koranteng, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Ghana, will enable customers enjoy more talk time and browsing time for the same price of recharge voucher or bundle purchased.

The bonus on all types of recharge, he further stated, is valid for a period of seven days and is available till December 31, 2020.

This is contained in a release by the Chamber on Monday, September 14.

The Chamber notes tariffs charged mobile subscribers will be adjusted to reflect the reduction in the tax.

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“The tariff adjustment programme means when our customers pay the same price they would enjoy more, which is in line with the government’s measures in alleviating cost burden on citizens in the wake of the global pandemic,” stated Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Dr Ing. Edem Ashigbey in the release.

Meanwhile, on the side of revenue generation, the decrease in the CST tax is expected to decrease government’s revenue for the remaining months of the year.

Read details of press release below:

According to the party, the withdrawal includes the trade-off of non-expiry data and tariff increases which they say has disadvantaged Ghanaians.

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“The future of the communication space looks very bleak under the current crop of mismanagers. We are calling on President Akufo-Addo to immediately withdraw the 50% increase in CST and we also demand a forensic audit of Kelni GVG’s contract and its operations so far,” he said.

Addressing the seventh edition of the party’s ‘Moment of Truth Press Conference’, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George questioned why the government will preach digitisation but make it more expensive for Ghanaians to access.

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“In this industry the talk about connectivity comes with affordability. When you connect a community and it is not affordable, it is actually financial loss to the State because the people cannot use it,” he noted.

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Kenneth Ashigbe, said the telcos were expected to complete the reconfiguration of their systems to accommodate the commercial and technical requirements for the cessation of the deduction next week.

When the process is complete, it is expected to bring respite to consumers.

“The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications wishes to notify mobile and fixed subscribers that effective Tuesday 26th November 2019, Telecommunications Operators will cease upfront deductions of 9% CST charge and apply the tax through a tariff adjustment on their products and services,” the statement said in part.

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“The 9% CST will be applied as a price increase instead of as an upfront deduction on recharge,” the statement added.

The Chamber also gave the assurance that subscribers will be notified of the completion of the exercise.

Below is the statement:

To Pablo, as he is popularly known in the political circles, the directives should have come from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) as the regulator for taxes and revenues in Ghana.

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“Ursula Owusu acted ultra vires; an authority she doesn’t have to issue the directives on the CST. She doesn’t have the locus to issue those directives because it is the job of the GRA.”

The comment of Pablo follows a directive by the Minister to telcos to stop upfront deductions following the implementation of the 9% CST with telcos that go contrary to face sanctions.

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Commenting on the sanctions against telcos for non-compliance on the CST on Adom TV’s Badwam show, Pablo said “Ursula Owusu-Ekuful talks more than she acts and sometimes acts like she doesn’t even understand the job she is doing as a Communications Minister,” he said.

“How can the CST be basis to withdraw someone’s license? No court will rule in favour of this. Ursula is only blowing cold air,” he added.

Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere

According to her, she receives text messages referring to her as a “wicked witch.”

This follows the upfront deduction of 9% from every airtime recharge by telcos from October 1; a situation that has generated an uproar.

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To alleviate the pain of wary consumers, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said on JoyNews’ PM Express that she explains to the irate texters that the CST was not imposed by her.

She said taxes are imposed by parliament on the request of the Finance Minister.

The following video has more.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has asked the telcos to stop the upfront deductions. 

The telcos have, however, asked for more time to reconfigure their systems to accommodate the government’s request.