The Ministry of Communication has directed the National Communication Authority (NCA) to immediately have all mobile phone network operators stop deducting the nine per cent Communication Service Tax (CST) upfront and also stop sending customers notifications of the CST deductions.

The ministry said in a statement on Friday, 11 October 2019 that: “To minimise the negative impact of the current mode of deduction of the CST, the Ministry of Communication hereby directs the immediate implementation of the following measure: CST should be treated the same way VAT, NHIL, GETFUND levy and all other taxes and levies imposed on entities doing business in Ghana are treated”.

“These extraordinary upfront deductions of CST and notification of same to the subscribers must stop with immediate effect,” the ministry added.

The ministry also ordered the telcos to stop giving expiry dates to bundled data.

“All unused data and voice bundles purchased by subscribers do not expire and must be rolled over with the next recharge”, the statement ordered, adding: “MNOs [Mobile Network Operators] will be subjected to strict compliance with existing Quality of Service (QoS) standards to ensure value for the subscribers’ money in accordance with their licence obligations.”