Revenue mobilisation in the Greater Accra Region is witnessing a quiet transformation, with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) raking in over GHC80 million in internally generated funds (IGF) in the first quarter of 2025—amid renewed calls for digitisation, efficiency, and development accountability.
While the amount represents only 23% of the region’s annual target, stakeholders say the growing embrace of digital revenue collection platforms by local authorities marks a turning point in Ghana’s fiscal decentralisation drive.
Addressing the first quarterly meeting of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Accra, Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo commended assemblies adopting digital payment systems to boost transparency and minimise leakages.
“Cashless systems are enhancing transparency. I encourage all MMDAs to replicate these innovations to improve their collection processes and reduce human interference,” she said.
The meeting convened all 29 MMDCEs, Presiding Members, NDPC officials, traditional leaders, CSOs, and public sector heads to review performance and coordinate policy direction.
Kpone-Katamanso emerged as the region’s top performer, mobilising GHC8.4 million—about 38.5% of its annual IGF target—while Ayawaso North lagged behind with just under GHC317,000, representing 19.8%.
According to the Minister, the shift toward electronic revenue systems is gradually reshaping how Assemblies operate, moving them from inefficient cash-based models to more robust, auditable platforms.
“Innovation is key. Assemblies that digitise are showing better outcomes. This is about more than revenue—it’s about restoring public trust,” Madam Ocloo stressed.
The Minister used the platform to reiterate that allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) will only be released to MMDAs that submit approved 2025 budgets and work plans. She emphasised that more than 80% of these funds are earmarked for infrastructure and development projects.
The RCC, she said, will intensify monitoring to ensure compliance with Cabinet guidelines on DACF use.
“We’re not just disbursing funds—we are tracking them. The RCC will monitor how you spend and whether it aligns with national priorities,” she warned.
Out of 372 development projects tracked in the first quarter, 207 have been completed. However, concerns remain over stalled and debt-ridden initiatives, prompting a strong directive from the Minister: complete ongoing projects before starting new ones.
Despite improvements at the MMDA level, Madam Ocloo lamented the continued under-resourcing of sub-district structures such as Urban, Town, Zonal, and Area Councils. These units, she said, are often relegated to tax collection roles, undermining the broader vision of grassroots decentralisation.
“These councils should be frontliners in development—not just revenue collectors. We need to empower them to deliver services and engage communities,” she asserted.
Looking ahead, the Minister reminded Assemblies that 2026–2029 Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) must be submitted to the NDPC by June 30, 2025. Future budgets, she said, must strictly align with these plans.
She also announced quarterly performance reviews to enhance inter-assembly collaboration, resolve bottlenecks, and facilitate peer learning.
Participants lauded the Regional Minister for her proactive leadership and pledged their commitment to greater fiscal responsibility, digital innovation, and citizen-centred development.
