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Family planning and reproductive health expert and campaigner at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Dr Ernest Koarku, has cautioned government against taxing condoms.According to him, the proposal to tax condom imports defeats campaigns to promote safe sex and reduce HIV/AIDs infection in the country.Government is considering putting a 1% tax on the importation of some condoms and other commodities to raise revenue.Dr. Edward Larbi-Siaw, a tax policy consultant at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, however said the levy will not affect the prices of condoms in the country.
He said condoms that come through the Ministry of Health and donors, and other official channels, although included in the schedule imports will be exempted.But speaking to Nhyira FM’s Ohemeng Tawiah, Dr Koarku maintains the move could undermine efforts by the Ghana Aids Commission and other agencies in fighting HIV/AIDS.“We wait for government to reconsider its decision. If it doesn’t we will meet with our coordinators for an appropriate response”, he said.He said the country has made its biggest gains of 5% rise in contraceptive use since 1998, and appealed to government not to do anything that will erase the gains made.
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