As the President is working toward Ghana beyond aid, MMDCEs should also aim beyond Central Government aid’’, Mr Ebo Amoah, Head of Fiscal Development Unit of the Ministry of Finance,
has said.
He observed that as heads of Assemblies in Ghana, MMDCEs play a crucial role in the management of the budget of the Assemblies from the conceptual stage to evaluation and performance reporting.
MMDCEs must provide the needed leadership role in the Performance Financial Management (PFM) system of the Assembly for an effective and efficient public service delivery.
Mr Amoah made the observations in a presentation at a 3-day refresher course for MMDCEs from the Central, Eastern, and Western regions at Cape Coast in the Central Region on the topic; Local Government Revenues, Distribution, and Management of Public Funds: Internal Control and Auditing Requirements.
He urged them to strive to adopt mechanisms to monitor and provide feedback to the citizens on revenues generated and its usage.
Looking at the positive side, Mr Amoah noted that CODVID-19 presented MMDCEs with an opportunity to adopt information technology tools to reach out to ratepayers and automated the revenue mobilization processes to improve revenue.
According to him, Chief Executives should have a strong leadership commitment and support to ensure improved revenue mobilization and utilization for enhanced service delivery.
To estimate revenues of the District Assemblies, he noted the need to regularly collect, collate and update data on all economic activities to facilitate revenue projections.
Revenue mobilized should support socio-economic development and create enabling environment for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive. It catalyzes improved revenue mobilization. He added.
Guided by the Fee Fixing Guidelines issued by the Ministry, district assemblies prepare their Fee Fixing Resolution and make revenue projections on rateable data.
Source: Public Relations Unit (MLGDRD)