Dec 22, 2012 at 5:28pm

A former flagbearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and medical practitioner, Dr. Edward Mahama has suggested a possible increase in taxation in the various sectors of the economy, to raise additional funds to support the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The governing NDC’s proposed one-time premium has been discouraged by a group of experts in the Health sector because according to them, the policy is technically impossible to achieve and would create further challenges for the scheme.

Speaking to Citi News, Edward Mahama who had opposed the NDC’s policy said his predictions that the proposal will fail was right.

He however advised that taxes on items which are harmful to the human body such as tobacco and alcohol should be increased to fund the scheme.

He said: “It all boils down to some form of taxation and I am sure that is what we’ll have to look at whether you are taxing particular items that may be injurious to health like alcohol or tobacco or other ways of doing it but eventually its taxation”.

“In taxation, there must always be the individual contribution which is in the form of a premium payment either once a year or every two years. The individual must feel that I’m buying something; it is mine so I must use it judiciously and not abuse it,” he explained.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana