Complete neglected hospital projects – Ghana Baptist Convention to Government

Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, the Executive President of the Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC), has tasked the government to as a matter of urgency complete all neglected health facilities across the country.

He expressed the hope that President Akufo-Addo will uphold his pledge to complete all abandoned projects.

“Governments come and go, but every project is eventually paid with the Ghanaian taxpayer’s money and Ghanaians must not suffer the loses”.

Rev. Adu-Gyamfi was speaking at the 55th Annual Session of the GBC on the theme: “Kingdom Loyalty for Accelerated Development at Ejura in the Ashanti Region.”

The Annual Session brought together senior pastors of the GBC across the country, and some parts of the West African continent to deliberate on issues affecting the Convention.

He said in the last four months; the GBC has had to start operating a new Baptist Health facility at Nvulenu, pending the official commissioning of the facility, adding that one month of the facility’s operation witnessed four safe deliveries.

“Currently the facility laboratory service is the best in the whole area serving the Ellembele and Jomoro districts”.

Rev. Adu-Gyamfi announced that in the past year, the GBC had received accreditation and pay-roll mechanization for seven new Baptist Health Service facilities by the Christian Health Association of Ghana and the Government of Ghana.

He said it was noteworthy to mention that Churches operate in areas where regular governmental facilities were not available and that these were complementing government efforts and meeting the health needs of the country’s rural communities.

The Executive President congratulated the government for successfully implementing the first year of the Free Senior High School project despite the challenges faced during the implementation process.

“I believe the Free SHS project is one of the most far-reaching social intervention programmes the country is currently witnessing”.

He said the GBC for that matter Ghana will be hosting this year’s All African Baptist Fellowship Western Region Women’s Conference.

Rev. Adu-Gyamfi announced that the GBC had established the Shalom Broadcasting Network, a Television Station not only to meet its core mandate of evangelism but to provide the platform for sharing of religious and faith-based news.

Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Nti, Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority who was the Special Guest spoke about the historical antecedents of taxation of religious organizations in the country.

He said the 1947 ordinance outlined the first provision of exemption of tax by charitable organizations including religious organizations which specifically exempted religious bodies from paying duties on imported items.

Mr. Kofi Nti said these tax exemptions were in recognition of the contribution made by the religious organizations in society as they prioritized the helping of the poor and needy while lifting the spiritual welfare of the people.

He said the Income Tax Degree, 1975, S.M.C.D 5 maintained the tax exemption status for religious organizations under Section 3(1)(d), but limited tax exemptions to the Christian Church with regards to their income other than derived from the business.

Mr. Kofi Nti said Churches have been at the forefront of societal transformation and that before and after independence churches played a significant role in the emancipation of the people when it came to the subject of education.

“Churches provide the setting for the development of the nation’s human capital through the provision of schools and led the society in meeting its socio-economic needs.”

He said there was the need for pastors to build the loyalty of their church members by encouraging them, recognizing exemplary services, and having a sustainable strategic approach that has a footprint on the lives of their members.

The Commissioner-General said the GBC is one big family which needs to be fair to its members, adding that the leadership must have a programme to know and experience the working environment and activities of the pastors.

Source: GNA