Minister Designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, has said decentralisation of collection of property rates will help mobilize enough revenue to develop various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as part of efforts to enhance local governance and infrastructure development.
He said this initiative is expected to empower MMDAs to independently mobilize revenue, thereby facilitating the implementation of various development projects at the local level.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the Member of Parliament for Banda emphasized that the decentralisation of property rate collection is a major reform and strategy to strengthen local governance.
Furthermore, he said it will ensure that development initiatives are more responsive to the needs of local communities.
Mr. Ibrahim noted that property rates that were collected by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have been underutilized despite their significant potential to raise funds at the district level.
He said: “one critical area that we can focus on, a low-hanging fruit, is property rates. When given the nod, we will all come together to improve this. It is the quickest and most effective way of generating revenue at the district level.”
Mr Ibrahim also pledged to continue this decentralisation effort if confirmed as Minister.
He asserted that this initiative will significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of communities.
The decentralisation of property rate collection aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to promoting local economic development and enhancing the quality of life for all Ghanaians.
