Professor Abdallah Ali-Nakyea, a tax expert and Associate Professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, has raised concerns over the growing trend of religious leaders receiving lavish, untaxed gifts.
Speaking at a programme on corruption held at the Alisa Hotel on Thursday, June 26, Prof. Ali-Nakyea called for greater scrutiny into the source and tax implications of such offerings.
He questioned the transparency surrounding these transactions, asking whether such gifts are being taxed and whether the origins of the funds are verified.
“You see a reverend, a pastor, well dressed in a suit and a sleek car,” he remarked. “Then they say, ‘I prayed for a member of my church, and he came to thank me with this [car].’”
Prof. Ali-Nakyea linked the issue to wider concerns about illicit financial flows and the lack of accountability, noting that Ghana continues to lose significant sums to corruption.
He urged religious communities to remain vigilant and proactive in promoting financial integrity among their leaders and members. According to him, spiritual institutions have a vital role to play in advancing the country’s anti-corruption agenda.
The professor emphasized that transparency must extend into all sectors of society including those traditionally seen as above scrutiny.
His remarks serve as a compelling call for religious institutions and the wider public to reflect on the ethical and legal implications of untaxed, unaudited gifts to spiritual leaders.
