By Albert Oppong-Ansah,
Bekwai (A/R), July 29, GNA – 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), disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency, saying increased local revenue was essential for development and reducing reliance on central government transfers.
“We are not collecting even 50 percent of what we are due as a municipality,” he lamented.
“The first step is knowing what exists—how many shops, barbershops, markets, and businesses are in our catchment.”
Mr Salifu said he had directed the municipal revenue team and coordinating director to work with the Ghana Statistical Service and relevant stakeholders to build a comprehensive database of economic activities.
“With the press of a button, we should be able to know what’s in our tax net, what we’re collecting, and what’s outstanding,” the MCE explained. “Only then can we plug leakages and make realistic projections,” he added.
Mr. Salifu noted that the absence of a fully automated revenue system had contributed to inefficiencies, adding that manual processes allowed room for underreporting.
He expressed concern that taxpayers lacked motivation to honour levies when outcomes were unclear.
“If people pay and do not see any impact, they become apathetic… That is why I am committed to using IGF for tangible projects—something the community can point to and say, ‘Our taxes built this,’” he said.
Mr. Salifu pledged to complete at least one school block or community facility using IGF during his tenure to promote public trust.
The MCE said that since assuming office two months ago, he had implemented oversight measures during market days to ensure compliance.
“During market days, all key staff, from the Coordinating Director to the Finance Officer, join field teams to monitor collections. We also motivate non-revenue staff who support the process. That’s how seriously we’re taking this,” he said.
Mr. Salifu said financial requests would now require proper justification linked to performance, and internal audits would be tightened.
“No more rubber-stamp approvals. Every financial request must be justified with data and linked to performance,” he emphasised.
Mr. Salifu highlighted the need to expand the IGF base, given the limited inflows from the District Assembly Common Fund.
“If we collect effectively and manage well, we can fund classrooms, sanitation infrastructure, or even support youth employment. The potential in Bekwai is huge—we just need to organise ourselves,” he said.
The MCE added that engagement with private sector actors, including local factories and foreign-owned businesses, would also form part of the revenue enhancement strategy.
“They benefit from our services and infrastructure. It’s only right they contribute meaningfully to the development agenda,” he noted.
Mr. Salifu said his administration was committed to promoting fiscal discipline, transparency, and citizen participation in revenue mobilisation.
“Before the year ends, I want us to have the full data set to work with. That will be the foundation to build sustainable development in Bekwai,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey