Takoradi, May 7, GNA - The Social Investment Fund (SIF) has launched an initiative to help the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to mobilize additional resources by way of revenue mobilization, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister said on Friday. In an address read for him at the launching of STMA Revenue Mobilization Programme at Takoradi on Friday, Mr Aidoo commended SIF for the brilliant initiative. Mr Aidoo said revenue mobilization programme was being implemented under the pro poor capacity building component of the Urban Poverty Reduction Project (UPRP), which STMA was participating alongside 11 other districts in the country. He said as a pro poor capacity building programme, the Assembly had engaged the services of 100 volunteers, who would be trained to embark on a three-month sensitization exercise to explain to the people the need to honour their tax obligations in order to enjoy increased developmental projects from the Assembly. Mr Aidoo said revenue generation for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis had been going through a series of reforms to increase the quantum of collection by revenue collectors and the maximum cooperation of the general public was needed in this regard.

He said the programme formed part of the various initiatives to ensure cooperation from the general public with regards to payment of approved fees, rates and licenses. "It is hoped that the programme would help to reduce the conflicts and acrimony, which revenue collectors encounter when they carry out their normal duties", Mr Aidoo said. He called on STMA to continue with such sensitization programmes and also to ensure that the revenue generated was utilized in a transparent and accountable manner in line with the vision of the National Democratic Congress government to ensure transparent and accountable governance. Mr Aidoo added, "Indeed, transparency and accountability to the people is the best way of galvanizing their maximum cooperation". 7 May 10