In the discharge of its functions, the Krowor Municipal Assembly is required under Section 46 (2) of the Local Governance Act, 2016, ACT 936 to establish mechanisms to facilitate public communication and access to information in the form of media with the widest public outreach possible in the municipality which may include: television stations, information communication technology centres, websites, community radio stations and public meetings.
Therefore, in line with stakeholders’ participation in the activities of the Assembly, the Assembly sought to collaborate with the Latenu Development Association (Radio 96.1 MHz) to create the platform to engage the public through Latenu Radio for the dissemination of information on the functions and activities of the Assembly to create the platform to engage the public through Latenu Radio for the dissemination of information on the functions and activities of the Assembly.
The Krowor Municipal Assembly (KroMA) weekly radio discussion on Latenu Radio saw the Revenue Unit of the assembly representing to sensitize and educate listeners especially in the Krowor Municipality on the need to pay tolls to the assembly. This occurred on Tuesday 2nd May, 2023.
Mr. Gideon Nii Amarh Gbene from the Revenue Unit educated listeners on what revenue mobilization is, its impact and the need to sensitize and enhance strategies to broaden the tax base of the rate payers within the jurisdiction of the assembly.
Mr. Gideon Nii Gbene explained that the Municipal Assembly exist to facilitate improvement in the quality of life of the people through the provision of equitable social amenities and projects to guarantee the total development of the assembly order to achieve this vision it is imperative the populace be educated and urged to pay their taxes diligently to the Assembly. He revealed that now that collection of the property rate is the sole responsibility of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) thus he would limit his talk on Business Operating Permit (BOP) which the assembly handles. He explained that the assembly charges fees to cover in part or whole the cost of providing services. This permit, he hinted is payed annually and businesses are entreated to pay before September each year to avoid sanctions and any inconveniences from the municipal assembly tax force and city guards.
He further revealed that the paying public should desist from refusing to declare their taxable assets as a way of evading taxes and also accord revenue collectors the needed respect and for them to desist from hackling and opening dogs on them especially those operating from their various homes. He informed listeners that a team of officers have already started revenue mobilization exercises and have captured those who are not on the system and entreated the paying public to leave details of their shop, name, telephone number, digital address number and Ghana Cards behind in their absence to make the exercise smooth. He mentioned that the public can call the assembly’s toll free number which is 03027275544 during working hour from 8am to 5pm to voice out any grievances, complaints and suggestions about their taxes.
During the call in segment of the discussion, a caller commended the assembly for desilting some drains in the Nungua Township and further pleaded that potholes on the Baatsona Basket road be fixed as it is rendering the road unmotorable especially during the raining season. Another caller also called to probe the difference between the municipal assembly’s business operating permit and the FDA registration permit.