ATIWA ASSEMBLY MAKES PROGRESS (PAGE 16, MARCH 30, 2010)

THE Atiwa District Assembly in the Eastern Region last year mobilised internally generated revenue amounting to GH¢181,422.59 as against GH¢170,164.00 estimated, an increase of 6.7 per cent.
The district which was carved out from the vast East Akyem District about four years ago comprised mainly of small farming communities and with the exception of Anyinam, the only commercial town which generates revenue, the other towns and communities hardly provided any revenue.
This made it difficult for the assembly to support the government and its development partners to develop the area.
To address the problem, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Atta-Twum on assumption of office, instituted a number of measures such as the establishment of a task force to mobilise revenue which had started paying off.
Addressing the assembly last Friday, the DCE stated that the downward trend of revenue mobilization associated with the assembly since its inception was being reversed and that between January and February this year, GH¢33,438.73 of revenue had already been collected as compared with GH¢21.992.00 generated within the same period last year.
Mr Atta Twum who commended the revenue collectors for a good work done indicated that new measures such as the intensification of tax education for the people to regularly honour their tax obligations and the withdrawal of aged and non-performing commission collectors and sanctioning of non-performing regular revenue officers were being considered.
He, therefore, urged the revenue collectors to continue to perform creditably to avoid any sanctions.
With regard to the assembly’s share of the common fund, Mr Atta-Twum stated that GH¢455,340.00 for two quarters last year had been received adding that GH¢249,318.23 being the fourth quarter for last year had just been released.
On programmes and projects being executed in the districts, the DCE told the House that GH¢29,058.40 being part of revenue from stool lands for last year had been used to construct culverts, markets at Ekorso and Bomaa as well as a wall around the Asunafo Market.
He, however expressed dissatisfaction about the slow pace of work in respect of GETfund projects–office block, the Pameng JHS block and the District Co-ordinating Director’s bungalow and stated that an executive committee was addressing the issue.
Mr Atta-Twum who dwelt on various aspects such as the rehabilitation of schools, the youth employment programme, security and ex gratia award for the assembly members, called on the district level law makers to assist the assembly to address the needs of people in the communities.
The Sanaahene of Anyinam and Chief Executive of Empretec, who is also a government appointee in the House, Nana Tweneboah Boateng advised the youth in the area to take advantage of the arable land and go into agriculture.
He also asked parents to try and support their children’s education to the highest level to enable them occupy responsible positions to improve their lot and reverse the cycle of poverty in the area.
Earlier, the Presiding Member, Mr Kwasi Amoako Attah asked the assembly members to advise the women against spending most of their working hours at prayer camps where they gave collections to enrich “the men of God” while they wallow in poverty.