By Agbaxode Emmanuel
Akatsi (VR), Sept. 30, GNA – The Akatsi South Municipal Assembly has commenced a five-day stakeholder consultation on its proposed 2027 Fee Fixing Resolution to solicit inputs from business groups and other stakeholders in the municipality.
The exercise, which opened at the Municipal Assembly Hall in Akatsi, formed part of efforts by the Assembly to engage the public before the proposed fees and charges were approved for the 2027 financial year.
Mr Daniel Dagba, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Akatsi South, who opened the consultation, said the Assembly had continued to improve its engagement with stakeholders by segmenting the interactions to reflect the various trade and business interests.
He said the approach was intended to promote efficiency, transparency and consensus-building, with each session focusing on issues affecting specific sectors and their operations.
Mr Dagba said the consultation would also provide the Assembly with an opportunity to account for the use of revenue mobilised from the public and work with stakeholders to determine mutually beneficial fees and charges for 2027.
He explained that, once approved, the Fee Fixing Resolution would serve as the reference document for the Assembly’s revenue collection efforts and would be enforceable in the courts.
Mr Dagba, therefore, urged representatives of the various business associations, groups and other interests to communicate the outcomes of the consultations to their members to promote understanding and harmony between the Assembly and the business community.
On trade and commerce, he said the 24-hour economy market project for Akatsi South had been awarded on contract, with the contractor already mobilised to site and work at the foundation stage.
He said the Assembly was also constructing five 12-unit market sheds at the Akatsi Market with internally generated funds to ensure that revenue mobilised from residents was channelled into projects that benefited them.
On the VIP sheds at the Akatsi Market, Mr Dagba said the project had also been awarded on contract, with the contractor on site and expected to complete the work within the next few weeks.
He said the Assembly had corrected defects on the market’s fence wall and reinforced the entry and exit gates as part of measures to improve security and attract more patronage.
Mr Issah Umar, Municipal Coordinating Director, said the consultation remained an essential part of the fee-fixing process, providing participants with the opportunity to share their views and concerns towards achieving a common goal.
Mr Daniel Nii Ardey Ankrah, Municipal Planning Officer, was among the facilitators and took participants through the proposed 2027 fees, among other issues, for discussion.
The consultation is expected to engage various sectors, including financial institutions, hospitality operators, food vendors, private school owners, shop owners, artisans, insurance companies and other relevant stakeholders.
Participants are expected to deliberate on the proposed fees and charges and make inputs to guide the Assembly in finalising the 2027 Fee Fixing Resolution.
GNA
Edited by Awumah Maxwell/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Agbaxode Emmanuel
Email: [email protected]