Bawumia emphasizes the government paying churches, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has clarified that he was kidding when he said his administration would encourage churches to take on more development projects instead of taxing them.
As part of his countrywide visit, the Vice President met with the clergy in the Northeast region and clarified that his remarks might have been misinterpreted.
Dr. Bawumia’s remarks were a testament to the significant contributions of the church and other faith-based organizations. These institutions have not only built schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure for our nation, but they also play a crucial role in our society. It’s time we recognize their efforts and provide them with the support they need to continue their important work.
“Look at the number of hospitals the churches have built. Count the number of universities constructed by churches and other faith-based groups. Look at how many individuals are regularly cared for by churches and other faith-based groups. Just consider what it would be like to wake up tomorrow and find that all the hospitals, universities, and schools the churches have constructed vanished. They vanish. What would Ghana be like? Ghana is going to crumble. Is it not? There will be unrest in this situation, and we will not survive.
I laughed when I said, “Oh, people are talking about taxing churches.” In my opinion, we won’t tax churches. Since the churches have accomplished so much, perhaps we ought to compensate them for their services rather than attempting to tax them—as I was jokingly suggesting at the time. However, I wasn’t advocating that we give money to churches. I’m proposing that we should incentivize churches to work harder.
This allegedly misinterpreted speech about incentives was made last Friday, May 10, during a meeting with the clergy in the Bono East region.
“Unless you don’t understand the work the church has done,” the flagbearer of the NPP stated during the assembly above. The buildings that house the hospitals, universities, and schools and serve to maintain society are enormous. It’s simply gigantic. Hundreds of schools exist within many churches. Therefore, I don’t see it and won’t allow ourselves to be in a position where we tax churches.
Dr. Bawumia is presently touring his native North East on a campaign stop.
Credit: Pulse.gh
