At the Regional Budget Hearing for MMDAs last Thursday, he emphasised that prudent financial management and accountability were constitutional mandates for the assembly, as outlined in Section 12 (3) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).

The budget hearing brought together representatives from the Ga West, Ga North, Ayawaso Central and Okaikwei North Municipal assemblies to review their 2024 budget performance.

"The ratepayers from whom we demand fees and rates will also expect accountability from us, as they want to know how we are utilising the funds collected from them," he said.

The MCE also stressed the importance of the budget hearing as a platform to scrutinise revenue mobilisation mechanisms and ensure alignment with the district's development priorities. He highlighted the need to synchronise revenue mobilisation efforts with the district's Annual Action Plan.

Mr Wilkinson urged participants in the budget hearing to take the recommendations from the Ministry of Finance and Regional Coordinating Council seriously and incorporate them into the final budget.

Rate payment

The Budget Officer for Ga West Municipal Assembly, Mary Acquah, called on residents of the district to be diligent in their rate payments. She said that late payments exacerbated funding challenges and hindered the assembly's ability to complete developmental projects.

She said that the assembly's internally generated funds (IGF), which were a major source of revenue, were often insufficient to meet the municipality's demands. She added that the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), a grant from the central government, was frequently delayed or inadequate.

"The inflows necessary for our IGF to raise enough funds for developmental projects in the communities are not easy to secure. We rely on support from the government, particularly through grants such as the DACF. While it does come, it is often delayed, and when it arrives, the amount is very low," she lamented.

The lack of funding has forced the assembly to delay or cancel several projects, including road construction and infrastructure improvements. Ms Acquah urged residents to pay their property rates and other taxes to help increase the assembly's revenue.

"The only encouragement I would offer to ratepayers is that they should assist the assembly in developing the municipality. How can they help? By paying their basic rates and property taxes so we can mobilise enough revenue to address some of these challenges and make Ga West a better place to live," she said.

She also said the assembly had been working to improve public awareness about the importance of tax payments and had conducted public education campaigns, as well as provided information to residents about the benefits of paying rates.