Vice President Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, has promised that churches and faith-based organizations will receive tax waivers on their imports if he is elected President.
Addressing supporters at the Holy Ghost Temple of the Assemblies of God Church in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, Dr Bawumia emphasized the crucial role of faith-based organizations as key development partners in Ghana. He argued that while external development partners benefit from import duty waivers for materials brought into the country, churches face import duties on similar materials used for building schools and hospitals.
“I want to re-designate churches and faith-based institutions as development partners so they can benefit from the same import duty waivers and incentives given to other development partners,” Dr Bawumia stated.
This pledge was part of his recent constituency-focused campaign tour of the Upper East Region, where he visited all 15 constituencies. During the tour, Dr Bawumia met with Paramount and Divisional Chiefs to seek their blessings and addressed rallies of party supporters across the region.
Dr Bawumia lauded the role of churches in nation-building, describing their contributions as “phenomenal.” He noted that, historically, the government has failed to adequately recognize the role of churches in development, often viewing external partners as the primary contributors.
“We tend to regard external partners as our main development partners, but I believe that churches and faith-based institutions are our number one development partners in this country,” he asserted.
The Flagbearer also highlighted Ghana’s status as a peaceful nation, attributing this peace to the country’s religious tolerance. “We are the most peaceful country in West Africa and one of the most peaceful in Africa. Our shared values across different religions underpin this peace. Sometimes, we focus on minor differences instead of amplifying the common values we share,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia’s church service was attended by several notable figures, including Mr. Dominic Nitiwul, Minister for Defence, Mr. Ambrose Dery, former Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, Upper East Regional Minister, and former Upper East Regional Ministers Madam Tangoba Abayage and Mr. Rockson Ayine Bukari, as well as other party executives and dignitaries.
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