NGO appeals to government for on tax exemptions

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Compassion International, a Christian-centred non-governmental organisation (NGO) helping to alleviate children from poverty and giving them hope, has?pleaded?with the government to exempt imported items meant for?charity projects from taxes, to ease the burden of guaranteeing the future of the children.

The taxes are said to be a major drain on Compassion, which spends at least $1.5 million on 43 communities in seven regions a month.

The Country Director of Compassion International, Padmore Baffour Agyapong, told journalists at its 10th anniversary in Kumasi, under the theme ?Celebrating 10 years of God?s Goodness,? that beyond helping children under its varied social protection programmes, the NGO has become a major source of job creation.

Through the provision of some basic amenities in the targeted communities, a lot of unemployed youth as well as church leaders have reportedly been engaged.

The NGO is currently working with 22 churches, with the Methodist Church having about 19% stake, to address the needs of the children, both Christians and non-Christians.

A number of programmes have been rolled out with key interest in Child Survivor Policy, where pregnant women are registered, monitored and given the necessary health care to reduce child mortality.

Compassion International was created in response to the Great Commission in the Bible, which exists as an advocate for children to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.

It is funded through sponsorship and donations by individuals.

History has it that one Reverend Everett Swanson was moved by the plight of Korean War orphans as he preached in the early 1950s. Touched by what he reportedly saw, he decided to establish the NGO to ?free? the children.

Source:?Adwoa Okyere Darko ||?The Finder

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