Tano South District Assembly Strategize To Increase Revenue Mobilization

Hon. Bukari

The Second Ordinary Meeting of the Tano South District Assembly has been held at Bechem the District Capital.

The Tano South District Chief Executive Hon. Bukari Zakari Anaba, in his sectional address welcomed all present at the meeting and said "it is indeed essential and appropriate for us as a District Assembly and of course a body statutorily responsible for the overall development of the District here to constantly meet to discuss and deliberate on issues pertaining to the development and well being of the very people we are representing".

He said the meeting like any other meeting is to enable them plan, execute and evaluate their performance and also to make it possible for them to adequately prepare and equip themselfs in meeting the challenges ahead as representatives of the people of the District.

Money is the live wire of every District Assembly. The ability of any District Assembly to embark on any meaningful development projects no doubt depends on the availability of revenue. Hence, the Management of the Assembly has put measures in place to help mobilize enough revenue especially Internally Generated Fund (IGF) for the development of the district.

These measures include the following:
Capacity building workshop for Revenue Collectors Revenue target setting for Revenue Collectors Formation of Revenue Task Force Construction of Revenue barriers at some vantage points at Techimantia and Derma Internal postings of Revenue Collectors

Hon. Anaba said that a total amount Ghc46,262.49 had been achieved of quarterly 57,827.25 representing 80% of revenue collected. "Targets for some revenue items have also been exceeded in the case of lands and royalties, licenses and fees. Management will continue to roll out acceptable workable solutions to increase revenue but we also entreat Hon.

Assembly Members to assist us in this regard."
DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT FACILITY: Under the Government's Local Government reform initiatives, a discretionary fund known as the District Development Fund (DDF) has been put in place with support development partners to complement the traditional revenue sources.

Access to the fund depends on the level of pro-activeness of every Assembly.

Under the system, Assemblies throughout the country are assessed and those with good performance are supported by tailor made capacity building support component of the grant. Mr. Anaba stated that the Tano South District Assembly for the 5th year running, has qualified for the facility, with 83% for the year 2013 assessment.

According to the DCE, ten boreholes have been drilled across the district.

The communities where these boreholes are sited include: Onwe-Nkwanta, Abesewa-Zongo, Hope Industries-Becchem, Osofo Asantewaa-Bechem, Kwasu, Tweapease, Derma Nkwankyire, Domeabra-Derma Tuagyankrom and Mansin.

He said in the last Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) conducted, there were twenty five (25) recorded cases of teenage pregnancy in the district. "These were the observable ones but I believe many would have given birth before their final year. I call on you and all stakeholders to assist in minimizing this unfortunate development to the barest minimum."

Hon. Bukari Zakari Anaba announced that, the first phase of Street Naming and Property Addressing exercise for Bechem has been completed where fifty

(50) streets have been addressed. The next phase will start immediately after the commissioning of the completed stage by 19th or 20th of September, 2014. "I am pleased to announce that Tano South has taken lead in this presidential directive and invite other Assemblies to patronize Tano South District Rural Technology Facilities (RTF) signaling of the Street Naming."

Compiled by: Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku (KOK)
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