Digital mapping of houses in Accra

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is to introduce digital mapping of houses in Accra to facilitate the easy collection of revenue and also reduce corruption in the system by the 2003.

Mr Solomon Ofei-Darko, Chief Executive of AMA, who was opening a two-day training workshop of AMA revenue collectors in Accra, said the mechanisation would help in the re-evaluation of houses and involve the private sectors that would provide the necessary logistics for job efficiency. Mr Darko said the mechanisation process would also provide data on every house in Accra to help the AMA generate the appropriate taxes and avoid leakages.

The workshop was to help improve on the performance of those charged with the responsibility of revenue collection and management. He said in order to generate enough resources to back developmental plans, the Assembly had devised new measures to combat malpractice in revenue collection.

“Poor revenue mobilisation requires serious attention if the Assembly were to carry out the important functions of providing services in infrastructure development,” he said. Mr Darko said the low level of education among the revenue collectors result in wrong entry of data, lack of adequate data for effective collection and poor remuneration and lack of incentives for workers.

He urged the participants to take the training session seriously and to come out better equipped to address the problems and improve the revenue of the assembly. He said AMA would do its best to improve on logistics and working conditions to ensure job satisfaction, efficiency and effectiveness.