PUCG against taxation on private universities

Mr Sam Okudzeto, Chairman of the Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG), on Thursday said government proposal to impose a 20 per cent corporate tax on private universities is discriminatory and unfair.

“This is unfair, unreasonable, unethical and discriminatory “to managers of private universities especially, the churches who operate such universities,” Mr Okudzeto said at a colloquium held in Accra by the PUCG as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of the University.

Mr Okudzeto explained that the world over, educational institutions are registered by guarantee and are not profit-making bodies.

“They do not pay such taxes and this enables such institutions to offer scholarships and to do…research works to help address societal needs,” he said.

Mr Okudzeto said since education is an important matter that needs the collective efforts of stakeholders, it is discriminatory and against the laws of Ghana for government to single out private universities and propose such a tax on them.

“This particular tax is misplaced and government should look elsewhere for revenue to run the country,” he said.

Professor Kofi Sraku-Lartey, President of the University, said because churches in Ghana are long term partners with government in the provision of education and other social services, it would be proper for the Executive to support the missions to continue to educate Ghanaians rather than taxing them.

At the colloquium, various research papers were presented by lecturers of PUCG. They included research topics like: Local creativity for adapting to Climate Change among Rural farmers in the semi-arid region of Ghana; Churns on golden egg: Citrus, oil palm or cocoa? The case of Cocoa farmers in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region; and Character: A re-emerging quality for graduate employability in Ghana.

Source: GNA