The Head of Local Government Service, Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, has challenged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to improve revenue mobilization.
According to him, MMDAs could reduce the over-reliance on the central government if they adopt ICT strategies to explore revenue potential in their assemblies.
Dr. Arthur disclosed this in Bolgatanga during a familiarization tour of the Upper East Region. He noted that most assemblies had huge revenue potentials to improve their revenue levels, but are challenged on emerging ICT strategies to increase their revenues.
He expressed commitment to improving staff knowledge of MMDAs especially finance and planning officers on ICT strategies to improve revenue generation.
“It is my vision to promote ICT to improve revenue mobilization in the MMDAs because the revenue base of any assembly is crucial for its development. Most assemblies have huge potential to improve their revenues and therefore their over-reliance on central government releases to finance their development projects.”
“This can be maximized if the assemblies adopt ICT strategies to facilitate identification of properties and revenue sources. We shall also embark on a crusade to ensure that, Digital Mapping System is embraced by MMDAs to improve revenue source identification and collection” he stated.
Dr. Arthur also urged the planning units of the Regional Coordinating Council and the MMDAs to compile a reliable database on revenue potentials for business attraction.
Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, urged staff of the service to improve productivity in their line of duty amidst the challenges, as government is committed to addressing them in due course.
Mr. Rockson said the inadequate staffing in the Physical Planning, Procurement and Information Technology departments of assemblies in the region was a worry which needs attention.
He also impressed on assemblies to develop and retain hardworking staff to increase productivity.
Mr. Rockson called for more collaboration, especially between assemblies who have experienced conflicts, and the security agencies in respect of resource commitments in restoring law and order.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
