Chiefs and Politicians Impeding Revenue Collection Efforts in Dormaa Central, Says Environmental Health Analyst

In Sunyani, Mr. Dickson Kwadwo Akamanda, an Environmental Health Analyst with the Dormaa Central Municipal Assembly, has raised concerns about the hindrances caused by the involvement of chiefs and politicians in the municipality’s revenue collection and legal processes. This interference, he notes, has been a significant challenge in dealing with defaulters of property rates and other municipal obligations.

According to Ghana News Agency, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), there has been a recurring issue of party officials and traditional rulers visiting the Assembly’s office to request leniency for relatives, friends, and residents who have failed to pay property rates. Some of these debts date as far back as 2014. Despite efforts to prosecute defaulters, interventions by politicians and chiefs, often pleading on the basis that some defaulters would be unable to pay even if found guilty, have impeded these efforts.

He highlighted that whenever a summons for a defaulter’s arrest was issued, chiefs and politicians would swiftly intervene to mediate. This situation has adversely affected residents’ compliance with the regulations and bye-laws of the Assembly, especially concerning property rate payments.

Mr. Akamanda revealed that in 2022 alone, sixty-six individuals defaulted on their property rate payments. He estimated that the Assembly could potentially collect as much as Ghc100,000 if residents regularly and promptly paid their rates. He mentioned that the Assembly sometimes has to encourage people to provide information about offenders to facilitate the legal process.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Akamanda affirmed the Assembly’s commitment to its duties, including taking necessary actions against those who violate municipal rules. He appealed for additional logistics like printers and sheets to enhance the administrative efficiency of the Assembly.

In conclusion, Mr. Akamanda urged residents to fulfill their civic responsibilities by paying property rates and other taxes promptly to avoid legal consequences.