Mr Kenneth Dzirasah, first Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has called for a national debate on the country's nation revenue mobilization effort. Such a debate, he said should transcend parochial partisan political consideration to enable the country to find a lasting solution to the continuous reduction in its revenue collection.

Mr. Dzirasah was speaking at a mini-durbar organised by the chiefs and people of Mepe Traditiojal Area in Accra on Sunday, to raise funds towards the Mepe Afenorto festival schduled for August.

He said a number of countries had broadened their tax base to cover nearly all prospective tax payers in order to generate enough revenue to meet the needs of their people Mr. Dzirasah commended the chiefs and people of Mepe for their consistent effort at promoting development and peace that had prevail in the traditional area for decades.

He lauded the unity of purpose that had permitted the activities of Tongu people and remind all and sundry that history had never justifed civil strife, chaos and ethnic disagreements. Mr. Dzirasah urged the chiefs and other opinion leaders within the Mepe community to educate their people not only on their responsibilities to the local community but also their wider national duty of ensuring that the state was supported in its development efforts.

Torgbe Kwao Anipa IV, paramount chief of Mepe, said the purpose of the mini-durbar was highlight the main festival and raise funds for its successful hosting.

He said the festival would be used to foster the already cordial relationship that exist among the people. Mr. C. K. Akaho-Tay, chairman of the Mepe Development Association (MDA), said funds were needed to keep the wheels of development in the area going.

He urged citizens of Mepe to contribute generously towards the area's development. An appeal for funds yielded C 2.1 million.