The Chief Executive aspirant for the newly created Okaikwei Municipal Assembly, Amos Opei Okai has stated that metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) could reduce their dependence on the common fund if they strengthen their revenue generation drive.
He explained that MMDAs were not generating enough revenue from property rate, for instance, because people were not paying realistic rates.
To solve the challenge, which Mr Okai, a businessman noted was due to poor data, he would ensure that all buildings in the municipality were re-evaluated and the correct rate charged, if nominated and confirmed as chief executive.
Speaking in an interview in Accra yesterday, he indicated that the revenue accrued would be used to address sanitation, health, education and other developmental issues in the municipality.
Mr Okai said he would leverage on his experience in the community development office in Australia, where he worked for several years, to accelerate the development of the municipality.
“MMDAs played crucial roles in the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda, if they are able to generate enough revenue, the government can use the common fund for other projects.
“The best approach is to empower the grassroots to be aware of their rights so they can demand them from politicians.
“I support the steps being taken by the government for metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) to be elected from 2019.
“This way, the people can vote them out if they are not satisfied with their work, decentralisation is the way to go if the country wants to deepen democracy,” Mr Okai pointed out.
Mr Okai served the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as organiser for Okaikwei North Constituency (1992-1993) and Chairman of the Nii Boye electoral area (1993- 1998).
He was elected the organiser for the Australian branch five years ago.
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