Survey shows lack of consultation in fixing fees by district assemblies

Accra, July 24, GNA - A survey on fee fixing by district assemblies has shown lack of consultation and gross disregard for interest of local businesses.

The survey, which comprised eight selected assemblies in Greater Accra, Eastern, Central and Ashanti Regions, was to establish the level of involvement and extent of participation of business operatives in the fee-fixing resolution procedures of assemblies. The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) made this known on Thursday when it presented a copy of the report to the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) to enable the Assemblies to independently undertake development interventions that are responsive to the needs of their people. The survey was conducted in April this year by the GJA in collaboration with KAB Governance Consult (KGC) and the Business Advocacy Challenge (BASAC) Fund and supported by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment. It formed part of the GJA's project to support micro, small and medium scale enterprises with financial, technical and managerial support. Presenting the report, Mr. Kwasi Afriyie-Badu, Chief Executive Officer of KGC, said the issue of fee fixing was relevant to local businesses in the various districts. Making inferences from the report, he said: "It was revealed that fees were fixed without due consultation with the people. "Small and micro-scale operators raised concerns about lack of engagement between them and the Assemblies and apart from high rates, they complained of unclear categorization and poor information about the basis of increases in rates and fees." Mr. Afriyie-Badu said the survey recommended generally that Assembly functionaries, namely budget analysts, finance and planning officers should be tasked to examine previous fee-fixing resolutions and make proposals for adjustments or otherwise. "The proposals would be forwarded to the Finance and Administration Sub-Committees of the Executive Committees for onward transmission to the General Assembly to approve and adopt the proposals and the resolutions sent for gazetting at the designated government printer," he said.

Mr. Afriyie-Badu outlined un-gazetted collection of revenue, delayed fee fixing, standard and criteria used and the timing processes of stakeholder consultations as some of the challenges the survey identified. "In view of the above challenges, the GJA and its collaborators have developed guidelines on the processes, methods, timing and targeting of consultation with small-scale businesses," he said. The survey further recommended that NALAG should enhance their database on business association and ratepayer through collaboration with institutions with relevant capacity. It also suggested that NALAG encouraged assembly members to educate their electorate on the approved rates, fees and fines as well as solicit feedback for the subsequent revision of rates. Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, General Secretary for NALAG, commended the GJA for embarking on such a project and said the findings would help NALAG engage businesses at the local level to participate in any decision of concern to both parties. He said his outfit had already started a regional conference to create awareness in the various districts. 24 July 08