Assembly urged to be innovative in its revenue generation

The 69-member Asante-Akim South District Assembly has been inaugurated with a call to it to be innovative in its revenue generation effort to bring progress to the people.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, said it needed to work hard and with zeal to rake in more money not just to meet recurrent expenditure but equally importantly, to finance community development projects.

It should avoid over-reliance on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and other central government releases, and rather, explore other revenue streams.

The ceremony held with colour and funfair was witnessed by a huge gathering of chiefs, opinion leaders, heads and staff of the various decentralized departments and the general public.

On hand to swear-in the assembly members was the Juaso Circuit Court Judge, Mr. Fredrick Tetteh.

Mrs. Ofosu-Agyare suggested that it focused on building a more accurate and reliable database to aid revenue.

She pledged the government’s continued support through the supply of logistics, staff and office accommodation.

She counseled the members to be diligent, accountable and responsive to the needs of their communities.

They should accept to make sacrifices – putting the general good ahead of personal interest and convenience, she added.

She saluted assembly members for the unique functions they exercised at the grassroots, something that had helped to promote good governance and strengthened the nation’s democracy.

Mr. De-graft Fokuo, the District Chief Executive (DCE), spoke of the need for teamwork to carry through its development agenda.

He advised that they kept close contact with the people to better articulate their concerns and development aspirations.