The Obuasi Municipal Assembly expressed its preparedness to support the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to rake in more revenue from the property rate tax system.
Addressing the media, the Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Elijah Adansi-Bonah, stated that the Assembly has so far collaborated effectively with GRA to ensure that they are able to effectively collect property rate to enable them meet their targets.
MCE of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, Adansi-Bonah, revealed that the decision will boost the Assembly’s internally generated fund. Owing to this, he explained that the Assembly has already supported GRA by providing office accommodation for officials who have been designated to collect property rate.
“As I am speaking with you now the Assembly is collaborating with GRA to collect property rate in terms of logistical support and public sensitization. We believe that the arrangement of 70-30 is to the Assembly’s benefit. When we are able to maximize revenue mobilization through property rates, it will wean the Assembly off government’s subventions.”
Elijah Adansi-Bonah
Meanwhile, in light of its remarkable achievements regarding Internally Generated Fund collection, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly has lined up a plethora of projects targeted at making life easier and comfortable for the people. The Assembly in 2022 generated GHC5,642,060.37 as against its estimated amount of GH¢ 5,050,086.00 representing 111.72%. In view of this, it plans to construct an urban park which will serve as recreational center for the people of Obuasi.
Additionally, the urban park is expected to have an auditorium with the capacity of 1,500 people , a swimming pool and other eye catching facilities. Similarly, the Assembly has moved to construct two cassava processing factories at Sanso and Mimiriwa – the factories are expected to provide jobs and also prevent post harvest losses.
Development of Obuasi artisan site, construction of roads, school blocks and nurses quarters featured prominently in the projects earmarked to be constructed in 2023 by the Assembly.
With these developments, the MCE reckoned that this maximizing revenue especially from IGF will provide the Assembly with the needed financial resources to embark on the projects
Obuasi Municipal Assembly exceeds 2022 IGF
On her part, the Obuasi Municipal Budget Analyst, Edna Vivian Arkoh, in her presentation revealed that the Assembly exceeded its budgeted Internally Generated Fund revenue. She indicated that whiles the Assembly projected to rake in GHC5,050,086.00 , it succeeded in collecting GHC5,642,060.37 representing 111% .
“I wish to thank residents of Obuasi for fulfilling their civic responsibilities by paying their tolls, levies and rates to the Assembly. We assure you that the amount generated will further boost the Assembly’s capacity to embark on its planned projects and programs for the people of Obuasi.”
Edna Vivian Arkoh
The town hall meeting undertaken by the Assembly was witnessed by Nananom, Heads of department, Assembly members, clergy and representatives of the Business community in Obuasi. There were presentations on Agric, health, building permit and education.
It will be recalled that presenting the 2022 budget statement and economic policy on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, Minister of Finance Ken Ofori Atta revealed that government was looking to assisting the Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assemblies (MMDAs) to implement a common platform for property rate administration to enable them effectively collect property rates in the country.
The decision for GRA to collect property rate which hitherto was the responsibility of the MMDAs was in accordance with the National Budget Estimates and Appropriation Act 2022, directing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to cede the collection of property rate to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
