Ga South targets GH¢4m in 2016
The Ga South Municipal Assembly (GSMA) has set GH¢4 million as its Internally Generated Fund (IGF) target for 2016.The target forms part of the assembly’s strategy to widen its revenue network to avoid over reliance on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) allocations from the central government.
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The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Jerry Nii Akwei Thompson for Ga South disclosed this to the Daily Graphic on the sidelines of a health walk that was held in the municipality last Saturday as part of activities marking the assembly’s eighth anniversary.
It was on the theme “walk for life.
The two-hour walk, which started from the GSMA premises, saw the participants move through the Weija Roundabout to the McCarthy Hill area and back to the assembly amidst brass band music.
Over reliance on DACF
Mr Akwei Thompson said the over reliance on the DACF by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) derailed the execution of development projects.
“MMDAs are faced with the daunting task of providing infrastructure in the areas of education, health care, transportation and security. But the DACF is woefully inadequate.
“We have more than 300 communities in the municipality; and all these communities need quality water, schools and good roads. So we need other sources of funds to meet these needs. We cannot rely on the DACF alone,” he said.
Investment opportunities
Mr Akwei Thompson said the municipality was abound with investment opportunities such as salt production, undeveloped lands, beaches and other tourist attractions that could be tapped in order to generate more funds for development projects.
He said the assembly had put in place measures through building the capacity of its staff to prudently manage its finances and to ensure that the resources available were put to judicious use.
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The MCE also observed that the encroachment on the assembly’s lands by estate developers was one of the major challenges the assembly was confronted with.
He urged persons who wanted to put up structures for commercial purposes or for residential use to make sure that they acquired permits from the assembly.
“I will like to urge all people to desist from building in lowlands and in flood-prone areas. We will take steps to deal with those who do not follow the right procedure and decide to build on water courses,” he added.
Community engagement
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the assembly, Mr Elliot Adom said the assembly had advanced plans to tackle some of its challenges, including sanitation and the lack of school infrastructure in rural communities.
He said the poor road network in the area had derailed the assembly’s efforts to mobilise revenue since most of the people often cited lack of good roads as the reason they were reluctant to pay tolls and taxes.
“We do not have adequate staff to go round to assit us increase our revenue. But we will engage the communities to understand the important roles taxes play in the development of the municipality,” he added.
The assembly will also undertake clean-up exercises, games and other activities to mark the celebration which will be climaxed on June 28, 2016.