Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has pledged to provide incentives to churches in recognition of their contribution to the country's development if he is elected president.

During a meeting with the clergy as part of his Bono regional tour, Dr. Bawumia highlighted some interventions and contributions made by the church since independence to justify his pledge.

At the gathering, the Flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party said "If you look at the work the church has done, we should rather be paying them rather than them paying us. Unless you don't understand the work the church has done".

Dr Bawumia further explained that "If you look at the building, the way they're trying to keep the society together, the universities, the hospitals, the schools, it's just massive. Many churches have hundreds of schools so I don't see and I will not have a situation where we're taxing the churches. We rather want to give churches incentives to support what government is doing."

The flagbearer likened the church to development partners and announced his administration's intention to forge a closer relationship with them.

"I want us to be partners in the way that development partners are with us. You are our domestic development partners and we'll give you incentives to do more."

The Vice President is concluding his Bono regional tour and is poised to extend his campaign to other regions as he seeks to succeed President Akufo-Addo.