Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, has been granted an official exemption from import taxes and levies on a luxury Lexus LX600 vehicle, following approval by the Ministry of Finance.
The exemption, communicated through a letter dated January 3, 2025, signed by Minister of State Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, allows the MP to clear the vehicle while paying a fraction of the usual duties.
Under Parliamentary Resolution No. PS/CS/80/178 from July 2021 and Article 174(2) of Ghana’s Constitution, MPs are entitled to import certain goods duty-free.
Typically, such waivers cover import duties, VAT, levies, and other associated charges. For this vehicle, the full taxes would have exceeded GHS 626,000, but Hon. Sam George will pay only GHS 2,150.
However, the Ministry clarified that any future sale of the vehicle will be subject to applicable taxes.
This exemption follows the MP’s submission of necessary documentation, including tax clearance and Parliamentary Service recommendations, confirming procedural compliance.
While tax exemptions for MPs on vehicles are established policy, the approval of a high-end luxury vehicle during Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery has reignited debate about public sector privileges. Critics question the fairness of such exemptions amid growing calls for equitable tax systems and prudent public spending.
The development underscores the ongoing tensions between statutory privileges afforded to public officials and public expectations for transparency and fairness in governance and taxation.
