By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Aug. 30, GNA- Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has supported the call for tax exemption for medical equipment and materials imported by churches and faith-based organisations (FBOs) for health and education projects.
He said as a matter of policy, his government would make some churches and FBOs development partners, to help accelerate the infrastructural development of the country.
Vice President Bawumia made the remarks during a visit to the Catholic Church Hospital project site at Adjen-Kotoku in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on Thursday.
The project christened the ‘Legacy of Hope,’ is a 100-bed capacity Paediatric Hospital for Childhood Cancers being constructed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra at an estimated cost of US$6.4 million.
So far, the Fundraising Committee of the Church has raised GHc19.5 million from well-wishers and donors both locally and abroad.
Dr Bawumia pledged to personally contribute funds towards the project and asked to be added to the Church’s Fundraising Committee to aid in soliciting funding towards the completion of the hospital project.
The NPP Flagbearer also pledged to facilitate the construction of the road leading to the project site to ensure smooth transportation of patients to the facility upon its completion.
Vice President Bawumia commended 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 people of Ghana.
Dr Bawumia recalled some policy interventions the Akufo-Addo-led government had initiated to promote quality healthcare for Ghanaians, including Agenda 111 to construct district hospitals across the country.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has also added children with sickle cell to the list of medicines the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers, Dr Bawumia stated.
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, said the project was relying on philanthropic contributions of Catholics, well-wishers and donors both at home and abroad.
He believed a collaboration between the Church and the Government would help continue the healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Most Rev. Kwofie lauded the Vice President for his love and support for the vulnerable and marginalised groups in society.
He appealed to the Vice President 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 and also facilitate the asphalting of the road leading to the project site.
The four-storey block facility is made up of an Outpatient Patient Department, Operating Theatre, Radiology Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Pharmacy and Maternity Unit and Special Accommodation Unit.
GNA