Bekwai: The Bekwai Municipal Assembly has unveiled a strategy to boost Internally Generated Funds (IGF) through digitisation, data-driven decisions, and community engagement. Mr. Issaka Salifu, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), highlighted the importance of increasing local revenue to facilitate development and reduce dependency on central government transfers.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Salifu disclosed that the municipality is currently collecting less than 50 percent of its potential revenue. He emphasized the need for a complete understanding of the existing economic activities within the municipality, including shops, barbershops, markets, and businesses. To address this, he has instructed the municipal revenue team and coordinating director to collaborate with the Ghana Statistical Service and other stakeholders to create a comprehensive database of economic activities.
Mr. Salifu explained that having immediate access to accurate data would enable the assembly to identify revenue leakages and make realistic financial projections. He pointed out that the absence of a fully automated revenue system has led to inefficiencies and opportunities for underreporting. Additionally, he noted that taxpayers are often unmotivated to pay their levies when they do not see tangible outcomes.
In his commitment to demonstrating the impact of local taxes, Mr. Salifu pledged to complete at least one school block or community facility using IGF during his tenure. Since taking office two months ago, he has implemented oversight measures during market days to ensure compliance, with key staff actively monitoring collections.
Financial requests will now require proper justification linked to performance, and internal audits will be tightened to eliminate rubber-stamp approvals. Mr. Salifu emphasized the necessity of expanding the IGF base due to limited inflows from the District Assembly Common Fund, highlighting the potential to fund essential projects like classrooms and sanitation infrastructure.
Engagement with private sector actors, including local factories and foreign-owned businesses, is also a part of the revenue enhancement strategy. Mr. Salifu stressed the importance of these stakeholders contributing to the development agenda, as they benefit from local services and infrastructure.
Mr. Salifu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency, and citizen participation in revenue mobilisation. He aims to have a complete data set by the end of the year to lay the foundation for sustainable development in Bekwai.
