The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has started renumbering houses and other properties in the Accra Metropolis.

The renumbering exercise, which was announced by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu began in March. It is to enable the AMA collect the necessary data for proper planning and effective management of the metropolis.

The Public Relations Officer of the AMA, Mr. Anthony Obeng said the exercise is progressing smoothly. As at last Wednesday the Ayawaso suburbs of Accra, where the exercise began had recorded a total of 21,852 properties. Mr. Obeng, said the exercise is estimated to cost the Assembly ?600 million.

He said the AMA task force executing the exercise has since shifted it to the Kpeshie areas comprising La, Teshie and Nungua. About a 150,000 properties are expected to be identified and registered at the end of the exercise, which is expected to last 12 months.

Obeng appealed to all stakeholders especially, businesses in the courier service sector and utility providers such as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company to assist the AMA with funds to implement the project.

According to him the numbering would enable the utility providers and courier services to easily identify houses for their operations.

Besides, the re-numbering would facilitate effective revenue collection and enable the Assembly identify defaulting property owners.

"The AMA attaches great importance to the exercise and would take measures to stop any attempt by a developer to pull a fast one on the Assembly," he said.

Mr. Obeng explained that new structures would be registered at the foundation level and monitored till completion to enable would-be occupants to start paying property rates from the time of entry.

He explained further that a monitoring team would be on hand for periodic visits to new developing sites within the jurisdiction of the AMA to ensure that no building or structure is left out of the Assembly's tax net.

Visitors to Accra and other Ghanaian cities often complain about difficulties in getting about. The use of street names, home and office addresses died long ago in Ghana and to get to a place, both visitors and residents have to employ a string of near this or near that in a totally bewildering manner.

House delivery of letters has completely died off. The new courier services that do house deliveries usually have to call the addressee, that is if he or she has a telephone, and get directions. Sometimes they are so confused themselves that, they end up inviting the addressee to their offices to collect the mail!

Renumbering and revival of street and place names have to go hand in hand, or the exercise would be yet another waste of public funds.