Bawku West to step up internal revenue collection

Zebilla (UE), Sept 18, GNA - Mr Adam Anabah Moro, Bawku West District Chief Executive, has urged the revenue taskforce of the Assembly to intensify its revenue collection to enable it to achieve its 2010 target. He said the Assembly, from January to August, managed to mobilize 103,149.70 Ghana Cedis, representing 55.36 per cent of its target, for 2010 internally generated funds. Mr. Moro disclosed this during the second ordinary meeting of the sixth session of the Assembly, at the weekend, in Zebilla, Upper East Region.

He said the district needed to mobilize its human and material resources for development.

Mr. Moro presented a recommendation, which included 19 key areas of development, from the assembly's executive committee for consideration. These included five persons to be sent to the United States to take part in establishing an Inter Sister-City relationship, proper documentation of assembly's lands and other properties, the continuation of sponsoring of teacher trainees and the formation of community watch dog committees among others

Mr Moro said that a member of the Council of State, Reverend Dr. Jacob Ayeebo, had lobbied for a six-unit classroom block and a boys' dormitory to be built for the Zebilla Senior High School. He asked the assembly members to educate the people on the importance of the upcoming Housing and Population Census, saying that it was the only way Government could collect credible data for development planning at both local and national level.

Mr Moses Adukpam, Presiding Member of the Assembly, said the Assembly has indented to change its name from Bawku West to "Kussasi West District" and explained that the current name did not match the geographical location of the area. He said that according to Standing Orders (60-69) of the Local Government Structure, the name of an assembly should relate with the location of the assembly and reflect the true identity of the people. Mr. Adukpam cited that the Garu-Tempane District, which is located at Bawku South-East, is bearing a name reflecting its locality. Commenting on the Sister City relationship, he said that the move could contribute to the development of the area. Mr Adukpam cited that some districts in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions had benefited from relationships with countries outside Africa.

He explained that Bawku West could be supported in the area of education, health, agricultural and youth development through Sister-City relationships. Mr. Adukpam commended World Vision, a non-governmental organisation, working to develop the socio-economic conditions of the people, for providing 58 boreholes in the area and sponsoring 20 volunteer teachers to work there. The chief of kusanaba, Naba Akanayalea Atia Ayareni II called on traditional leaders to ensure the development of the area and avoid partisan politics. 18 Sept 10