Former President has criticised the continued imposition of -related taxes in the country by the Akufo-Addo-led government. According to Mahama, the nation remains burdened by financial measures linked to a pandemic that has long since ended. Addressing attendees at the Mahama Youth Town Hall on Monday, 12 August 2024, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer expressed his concern over the persistence of taxes that were originally introduced to manage the economic challenges brought on by the crisis. "Ghana is the only country I know that is still being taxed for a pandemic that has passed," Mahama remarked, highlighting the COVID tax, a value-added tax (VAT) implemented by the government during the pandemic to increase revenue. Despite commitments from political parties to eliminate this tax, it remains in force, much to the frustration of many Ghanaians. Mahama explained that the government's hands are tied due to its revenue commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which include the COVID tax. "It's part of the IMF agreement.