Bawumia pledges to strengthen church-state partnership for national development
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has reaffirmed his commitment to deepening the partnership between the church and the state to expedite national development if he becomes President of Ghana.
Speaking to clergy members in the North East Region, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the vital role of faith-based organizations in the country’s progress.
“I envision a golden age of collaboration between the government and the Church and Faith-Based Organizations.
“The church is our foremost development partner. Consider the numerous schools, hospitals, and universities established by these organizations. Imagine if we woke up tomorrow and all these institutions vanished; Ghana would face chaos and collapse,” he said.
Addressing a previous statement about incentivizing churches rather than taxing them, which had been misinterpreted by some Ghanaians, Dr. Bawumia clarified his position. “My statement was made in the context of recognizing the immense contributions of churches and faith-based institutions to our nation, including the construction of crucial infrastructure such as schools and hospitals,” he explained.
He further highlighted the extensive impact of these institutions, stating, “Unless you don’t understand the work the church has done—maintaining societal cohesion, building universities, hospitals, and schools—it is substantial. Many churches manage hundreds of schools. Therefore, I do not foresee and will not support a situation where we tax churches.”
Dr. Bawumia assured religious organizations that his administration would consider offering incentives to support their efforts in alignment with the government’s development strategy.
He proposed a partnership model similar to those in other countries, recognizing the essential role of churches and faith-based organizations in strengthening social cohesion and contributing to national development.
By Daakyehene Nana Yaw Asante
