Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has promised to give tax exemption to churches and faith-based organisations who import equipment into the country for the purposes of health and education.
According to Dr. Bawumia, theyare development partners who are helping to accelerate the infrastructural development of the country.
This was when he visited the ‘Legacy of Hope’ Paediatric and Childhood Cancers Hospital being constructed by the Accra Archdiocese of the Catholic Church at Adjen-Kotoku in the Ga West Municipality.
The project is estimated to cost US$6.4 million.
So far, the Fundraising Committee of the church has raised GH¢9.5 million from well-wishers and donors both locally and abroad.
Dr. Bawumia, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate in the upcoming December 7 general election, pledged to personally contribute funds towards the project and asked to be put on the Church’s Fundraising Committee to aid in soliciting for funds towards the completion of the hospital project.
He also promised to facilitate the construction of the road leading to the project site, to ensure smooth transportation of patients to the facility upon its completion.
Dr. Bawumia could not help commending the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Accra, Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie for his leadership in initiating a laudable project that would not only benefit the members of the Catholic Church but the entire nation.
He talked of some policy interventions the Akufo-Addo-led government had initiated to promote quality healthcare for Ghanaians, including the Agenda 111 project to construct at least one hospital in every district across the country.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)has also added treatments for childhood cancers and the cost of Hydroxyurea, an essential drug for the treatment of sickle cell anaemia, to the list of medicines the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers, Dr. Bawumia stated.
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Accra said the project was relying on philanthropic contributions of Catholics, well-wishers and donors both home and abroad.
He believed collaboration between the church and the government would help continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
He lauded Dr. Bawumia for his love and support for the vulnerable and marginalised groups in the society.
He appealed to him to use his high office to ensure tax waivers for equipment and materials imported by the church for projects.
He also appealed to Dr. Bawumia to support the completion of the project as well as facilitate the asphalting of the road leading to the project site.
The four-storey block facility is made up of Outpatient Department, Operating Theatre, Radiology Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Pharmacy and Maternity Unit and Special Accommodation Unit.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent