In a recent clarification, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer for Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), addressed misconceptions regarding his earlier comments about taxing churches, stating that his remarks were made in jest and taken out of context. This statement came during a meeting with clergy members in the Northeast Region as part of his nationwide tour, aiming to reinforce the importance of faith-based organizations in national development.
Dr. Bawumia had previously sparked a debate during a dialogue in the Bono East region on May 10, where he discussed the role of churches in Ghana’s infrastructure development, including the construction of schools, hospitals, and universities. The Vice President emphasized the critical contributions of these institutions to societal stability and development, highlighting how essential they are to the fabric of Ghanaian society.
“Look at the number of hospitals the churches have built. Look at the number of universities the churches have built and faith-based organizations have built. Look at the number of people the churches and faith-based organizations take care of on a daily basis,” Dr. Bawumia said. He posed a rhetorical question to illustrate his point further: “Can you imagine, just take a thought for a moment that you wake up tomorrow and all the schools, universities, and hospitals the churches have built disappear? Ghana will collapse. Isn’t it? We will not survive in this sort of situation because there will be chaos.”
In light of these contributions, Dr. Bawumia joked about the absurdity of taxing churches, suggesting instead that they should be rewarded for their monumental contributions. “So at that point, I was joking and I said, oh…people are talking about taxing churches. I don’t believe, and we will not tax churches. Because if you look at the work the churches have done, then I was joking then, maybe we should have actually paid them for what they did, not really trying to tax them. But I wasn’t really saying we should pay churches, no. I am saying that we should give incentives to churches to do more,” he clarified.
The Vice President reiterated his stance, underscoring the importance of partnering with churches and faith-based organizations. He described them as “domestic development partners” whose efforts in education and healthcare are indispensable. Dr. Bawumia expressed a vision where the government and churches collaborate more closely, with the state providing incentives for these institutions to enhance their developmental efforts.
Dr. Bawumia’s comments come at a time when the role of religious institutions in public life and their contributions to social infrastructure are increasingly recognized as vital to national development. By advocating for incentives rather than taxes, Dr. Bawumia proposes a collaboration model that recognizes churches’ unique position in Ghanaian society.
The Vice President’s remarks were intended to emphasize the significant role that religious organizations play in Ghana, advocating for a supportive approach that enables these bodies to continue their crucial work. This stance not only highlights the government’s acknowledgment of the positive impact of churches but also sets a tone for future policies that aim to enhance their capabilities through incentives rather than fiscal burdens. By doing so, Dr. Bawumia hopes to foster a stronger partnership between the government and religious institutions, ensuring they remain integral to Ghana’s developmental trajectory.
Source: My Joy Online
