TREE Workshop honored for MMDCE's on the sustainability of Internally Generated Funds

The Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in have embarked on a  Tax Revenue for Economic Enhancement (TREE) workshop in the Ashanti Region to educate on the sustainability of Internally Generated Funds through communications, process refinement, legal capacity and I T building.

The training held at the Anita Hotel on October 17 was supported by the Dutch Government.  

Themed; “Stronger Institutions For Ghana Future Beyond Aid was aimed to polished MMDCE’s on ways to improve the institutional capacity and procedures of the MMDA’s to collect revenues, close local tax gap and deploy IT solution in each District Assembly to support primary Tax processes and block leakages.

 

 

President’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo desire to prudently manage the country’s natural resources in a manner that will allow the development agenda to be financed without recourse to external assistance calls for Internal Generated Funds to be administered in order to give a better interpretation to the Ghana beyond Aid vision.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama during the President’s meeting with stakeholders of the various District Assemblies in the Ashanti Region revealed to government on the significance of Internally Generated Funds. She therefore assured the president that the MLGRD will oversee that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCE) adapt to a District Revenue software and strategies to mobilize local taxes.

 

 

The Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Ron Strikker speaking at the event explained that the Netherland government has shifted its assistance programmes in the last 30 years from aid to trade agenda meaning, they focus more on developing projects on the economic empowerment of Ghana.

According to him, Taxes and Duties in Ghana has been challenging on how the government get citizens to comply better with tax obligations. He narrated on why higher taxes are not appropriate at the local level especially when an incumbent government has no money to spend.

“I know for instance, a city like Kumasi has a very limited budget at its disposal. How can you address all the needs of the citizens when basically you do not have an income? I surely know the central government has that problem as well but it think it’s a big dilemma at the local level and by increasing local taxes or widening its basics, you contribute to more revenue and able to do something for your citizens which strengthens democracy,” he added.

 

 

He expounded that the Tax Revenue for Economic Enhancement (TREE) is a revolution to help generate much taxes and its success in the various MMDA’s  will put Ghana in a better position in the next five years depending on the commitment of leaders towards the long term plan. He advised that though its introduction to citizens will seem to be a contradiction and paradox yet its attainment will be of good service.

The MMDCE’s were suggested to set a target in order to guide them achieve their aim for the year.

Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng, the Deputy Minister of Finance uttered that Domestic Revenue is a key source of income for nation building therefore appointees should be genuine in matters of income and commit to the course of putting together funds for government’s benefit.

 

 

The initiative to harvest more from MMDA’s Internally Generated Fund was defined as a passionate one hence the recent update by the Finance Ministry to the President on the impact of Local Revenue. The responsiveness from MMDCE’s was addressed to make the TREE a possibility.

“The time has come for us to put a stop to the irregularities of revenue mobilization. The way we will deal with this is to automate monies from the Local government”

“In the District Assemblies, revenue mobilization is weaker and a lot of you depend largely on what government brings. If government decide to mobilize funds in places like Accra, Kumasi where properties are seen, we will be making a lot of money but the commitment it takes to wake up and be attentive to back revenue officers is not there”

He cautioned the gathering to put away dishonest acts towards Local Revenues and help to enhance Ghana’s economy.

 

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“If any of you stands the way of the Tax Revenue for Economic Enhancement, if you are not lucky there will not be a second chance when you are caught. Revenue is serious business and this is the new beginning. Let us support this”

“What shall profit us if we continue to deny the collective good of the country, he ended”.

 

 

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah encouraged citizens to patronize in tax payment to help build a better Nation. The MMDCE’s were also counseled not to take advantage of mobilized revenues however; they were encouraged to invest them in the assigned course directed by leaders.

Massive sensitization exercise was pronounced by the Chief Director of Local Government, Mr. James Oppong Mensah as a way out to educate citizens on the need to pay taxes in order to improve the delivery of basic services in Ghana.