CLOGSAG kicks against centralised property rates collection
The idea of collecting property rates of Ghanaians from a centralised collection point has been kicked against by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOSING).
This follows the government’s idea of trying to put in place a common platform for the administration and enhancement of property rate collection in Ghana.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta during the budget presentation, said the Ghana Revenue Authority will commence these processes in January 2022.
But CLOGSAG wants the government to take a second look at the policy.
In a statement to commemorate the 2022 May Day celebrations and read by the Savannah Regional Secretary, Sulemana Ambrose, CLOGSAG argues that the association also says the move is at variance with the decentralisation concept of local governance.
“The association is of the view that should this policy of centralisation of property rate be carried out, we would be regarding the progress of decentralisation as tantamount to paying lip service to the policy.”
That a centralised collection of property rates will deny assemblies the needed internally generated funds.
“Centrally collected funds such as the District Assembly Common Fund, District Development Fund, and DACF- RFG have had challenges with frequency and consistency as well as release, thereby distorting the implementation of planned programmes, projects, and policies at the various assemblies.”
CLOGSAG also explained that the move is at variance with the decentralisation concept of local governance.
“The association is of the view that should this policy of centralisation of property rate be carried out, we would be regarding the progress of decentralisation as tantamount to paying lip service to the policy.”
Saeed Muhazu Jibril, the Savannah regional minister, who participated in the celebrations organised by CLOGSAG, assured that the government was holding talks with the leadership of CLOGSAG to address their current impasse.
He, however, called on members of the association to return to work whilst negotiations continue.
“The effects of your strike especially to the new regions such as the Savannah Region are serious. The last time I called the regional coordinating director to call a REGSEC meeting, he told me he was on strike, so I want to appeal to you to return to work whilst negotiations continue.”
