Assembly to privatise revenue collection

Ajumako (C/R), Dec. 21, GNA - The Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam district assembly is to privatise its sources of revenue mobilisation to improve its financial position.

The decision was taken at the second ordinary meeting of the Assembly at Ajumako, on Friday.

Mr Kenneth Obempong, District Chief Executive, addressing the Assembly expressed concern about the low revenue collection, which he said determined its level of performance.

He said whereas 192.7 million cedis representing 76.4 per cent of estimated expenditure of 252.3 million cedis was made, the Assembly generated only 150.3 million cedis resulting in a deficit.

He attributed the low level of revenue collection to a number of factors including under invoicing by revenue collectors, high number of illiterate revenue collectors, non-performing sub structures and apathy on the part of the public towards their tax obligation.

He said the executive committee was convinced that some pragmatic measures must be put in place to rescue the situation. On health Mr. Obempong said the Assembly had approved the training of five people as Health Aids for the district at a cost of 25 million cedis. He commended the assembly members for ensuring the completion of 10 market stores at Ajumako, Assasan, Kokoben Bisease, Solomon and Amia, Teachers Quarters at Ajumako and 20 market stalls at Enyan Denkyira under the EU/Government of Ghana Micro Project.

Mr Obempong said the government had released 100 million cedis from the HIPC fund to facilitate the District Mutual Health Scheme, which would be used for the establishment of the institutional framework and structures for the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the district.

Mr Kojo Ampiah-Biney, Presiding Member, said 600 million cedis in respect of the Poverty Alleviation Fund was in arrears and appealed to the assembly members to assist in retrieving the money from the defaulters, adding that, the loans given to the beneficiaries were not "for dash".