The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA) has mobilized an amount of GH¢1,102,065.58 as at the end of April 2023, representing 31 percent of its annual revenue target of GH¢3,532,314.00.
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr. Sule Salifu, who disclosed this at the 2023 maiden assembly meeting said the availability of revenue continues to remain the main driving force with respect to the implementation of planned activities and programmes of the assembly for the year.
He therefore indicated that the assembly still requires more reliable and sustainable revenue generation sources to raise the needed funds to meet the development priorities of the people.
Revenue measures
Mr. Sule added the city authorities have accordingly embarked on some revenue mobilization strategies which includes instituting a revenue mobilization taskforce, review of agreements with existing third-party partners as well as consideration of new applications.
In addition, the Mayor stated the assembly is also strengthening the Tamale South and Tamale Central sub-metro offices to improve revenue collection.
He emphasized that the assembly is expected to issue specialized stickers to be embossed on commercial properties to assist the assembly in the identification of registered businesses and defaulters.
Property rate
The Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive however observed one major factor contributing to the revenue shortfalls compared to the past has to do with the assembly’s inability to collect property rates as directed by the central Government.
“It would be recalled that the Ghana Revenue Authority has been given the sole mandate to collect property rates in all districts after which 70% of the collected revenue is disbursed into the respective accounts of the all MMDAs. It is our hope that the GRA would soon disburse our allocation to us to hasten our developmental agenda.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Sule Salifu announced plans to Construct an Astro Turf at Zogbeli, rehabilitate 1 No. 3-unit classroom block at Youth Home, Supply of 1,932No. dual desks, rehabilitate the Aboabo Market lightening system and erect two traffic lights – one on the Regional Coordinating Council liberation road and the other one at the Wardens Canteen Tishigu junction road.
He disclosed these projects will be executed through the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion Project dubbed “SOCO Project”, with funding support from the World Bank.
The five-year project seeks to address threats of extremism and violence, promoting socio-economic resilience and climate change adaptation which covers Northern Ghana, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Custodian
