Health Ministry Establishes Donation Desk to Facilitate Tax Exemptions on Medical Equipment and Supplies

Health Ministry Establishes Donation Desk to Facilitate Tax Exemptions on Medical Equipment and Supplies

The Ministry of Health has taken a strategic step to improve Ghana’s healthcare logistics by establishing a Donation Desk, specifically tasked with handling matters related to medical donations and tax exemptions.

The Donation Desk will serve as a centralized unit within the Ministry to manage the documentation, verification, and tax exemption processes for medical equipment and materials donated by international organizations, NGOs, and philanthropic individuals.

In a press statement, the Ministry said the initiative was part of broader reforms to streamline health sector operations and improve efficiency in delivering essential supplies to hospitals and health centers nationwide.

“We recognize the vital contributions of our development partners and donors. However, we have also identified challenges in the processing of tax exemptions which often cause delays in receiving these lifesaving materials. The Donation Desk will resolve these issues,” the statement read.

The Ministry added that the desk will not only work closely with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance but will also ensure transparency, compliance, and accountability in the exemption process.

Donated items such as surgical tools, hospital beds, diagnostic machines, pharmaceuticals, and PPEs are critical for healthcare delivery, especially in underserved and rural communities. In the past, delays in customs clearance due to tax-related hurdles have left many such donations stuck at the ports for months, sometimes resulting in spoilage or deterioration of materials.

Health stakeholders and civil society organizations have welcomed the move, describing it as timely and impactful. According to the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Donation Desk could significantly reduce inefficiencies and enhance the country’s preparedness in public health emergencies.

The Ministry also assured the public that the Donation Desk will maintain an open-door policy and publish periodic reports to keep donors informed and build trust in the system.

As Ghana continues to rely on strategic partnerships to bolster its healthcare delivery, the establishment of this Donation Desk marks a proactive approach to optimizing health logistics and donor collaboration.