News

STAR Ghana project improves IGF of Nkoranza North District Assembly

• By EDMOND GYEBI
• February 19, 2019
• 32

Local revenue mobilization in the Nkoranza North District Assembly has improved due to the intervention of a project, which seeks to deepen citizens understanding on the need and benefits of honouring their tax obligations.

The Assembly’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF) realised sharp increase from GHC228,157.06 in 2017 to GHC260,550 in 2018 due to the implementation of the STAR Ghana Anti-Corruption project, which also sought to block the loopholes in revenue collection at the Assembly.

According to Mr Anthony Afari, the Nkoranza North District Budget Analyst, the project implementation which started in 2018, has whipped up the enthusiasm of tax collectors in local revenue mobilization.
 
He said the project has strengthened engagements between the Assembly and traders and businesses in fee fixing resolutions and rates and because of that tax payers had understand and were paying their fees and rates as expected.

In an interview with the media on the sidelines of a town hall meeting held at Busunya on Thursday, Mr Afari said the project had also helped erode the wrong perception of corruption citizens had against the assembly because they (citizens) were now actively engage in decision making processes of the Assembly.

The Assembly in collaboration with MIHOSO International, local implementer of the project organised the meeting, which created common platform for the Assembly and citizens to interact to improve on local governance.

The objective of the 12-months STAR Ghana Anti-Corruption project, being implemented by MIHOSO International, a Non-Governmental Organisation and expected to be completed in June this year, is to promote transparency and accountability.

Mr Afari reminded the citizens that the Assembly IGF generated in one way or the other determined the quantum of the amount it would received from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), and urged the revenue collectors to work hard now that citizens were willing to pay their rates and fees.

Mr Solomon Agyei, a Deputy Coordinating Director at the Assembly, lauded the project, and assured citizens that the assembly would channel its revenue into development to help alleviate the plight of the people.

He expressed the hope that the friendly relationship between the Assembly and citizens would be deepened for mutual benefits, and asked tax payers in the District to cooperate with the revenue collectors and also visit and dialogue with the assembly in seeking redress for their grievances.

Mr Thomas Benarkuu, the Programmes Director of MIHOSO International, advised authorities at the assembly to own the project to ensure its sustainability.

He said organisation of the town hall meetings remained a key ingredient in strengthening the local government system and urged the Assembly to continue with it to improve on transparency and accountability at the assembly.

Mr Benarkuu said the project was being implemented in four districts in the region – Nkoranza North, Sene East, Pru East and Kintampo South Districts.

Source: WatchGhana.Com