“Churches will receive incentives under my presidency” – Dr. Bawumia

Dr. Bawumia proposes incentivizing churches rather than taxing them, promoting partnership and development.

This approach deviates from the long-standing tradition in Ghana, where religious organizations have usually been exempt from paying taxes, recognizing their philanthropic efforts and positive impact on society.

During a meeting with clergy members in the Bono East region, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the vital impact of churches on society and stressed the importance of acknowledging and rewarding their contributions. He advocated for incentivizing churches to continue undertaking development projects and promoting community growth, recognizing their valuable efforts in these areas.

Dr. Bawumia proposed that the government should explore offering financial incentives to churches to support and encourage their ongoing contributions to societal development, acknowledging the significant positive impact they have.

Dr. Bawumia contended that, considering the significant contributions churches make to society, they should receive recognition and support from the government, rather than being taxed, which would only burden them and potentially hinder their ability to continue their valuable work.

“Unless you don’t understand the work the church has done. If you look at the buildings, the way they keep the society together, the universities, the hospitals, the schools, it is massive. It is just massive. Many churches have hundreds of schools. So I don’t see and will not have a situation where we tax churches.”

“We would rather want to incentivize churches to support what the government is doing. I want us to be partners in the way that the development partners are with us. You are our domestic development partners and we will incentivize you to do more.”

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Dr. Bawumia’s suggestion may mark a significant change in how the government interacts with religious institutions, potentially leading to a reevaluation of church taxation in Ghana. Though the details of his proposal are still unknown, his remarks have already started a conversation about the impact of churches on society and the ideal balance between religious freedom and government involvement.