GJA outdoors survey on fee fixing

Dodowa (GAR), May 9, GNA - A survey which aims at establishing a level of involvement of business operatives in fee fixing processes of the district assemblies was on Friday outdoored by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region.

The survey conducted by KAB Governance Consult on behalf of the GJA in the Dangbe West District formed part of the association's project dubbed; "Using the media to strengthen Business Advocacy," launched recently under the BUSAC Fund.

The findings of the survey are expected to help the GJA to make recommendations to the Government and impel the media to strengthen business advocacy.

Dangbe West District assembly is among eight assemblies which were included in the survey. Information was elicited from Executive committee members of the various district assemblies in four regions namely Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central. Briefing Executive Committee members of the Dangbe West, Mr. Kwesi Afriyie Badu, a Consultant, KAB Governance Consult said under the constitution the media's role went beyond reportage. According to him the media had the mandate to demand accountability in public institutions.

On the survey, Mr. Badu pointed out that the district had not gazetted its fee fixing processes and that could generate some legality adding that there was no clarity about the basis for increases in rates. "There were no clear cut or established guidelines available to guide the process of reviewing rates and there was weak public education on approved rates."

Mr. Badu observed that the district had no adequate data on economic activities and business association that would promote effective revenue collection mechanism. Mr. Badu therefore emphasized the need to develop and adopt a paper on the parameters for reviewing rates on fees and licenses, strengthen the monitoring system of the assembly to ensure that revenue collectors comply with gazetted rates.

He said it was important for district assemblies to develop a memorandum of understanding between the assembly and business associations to know each others expectations and responsibilities. Mr. Badu further urged the assembly to sensitize rate payers prior to collection exercises, employ permanent staff and motivate them to give off their best and ensure that fee fixing rates were gazetted. He however commended the assembly for exceeding internally generated revenue targets in spite of its challenges. Mr. Badu however praised the assembly for involving business association in fee fixing process and recognizing the importance substructures in that direction. Mr. Bright Blewu, GJA General Secretary, told members that the United Nations recognized the need to involve the media in poverty eradication.

Mr. Blewu said under the phase of the BUSAC fund, the issue of fee fixing process came up hence the need to find out problems and conditions militating against businesses and finding solutions to them. Mr. Michael T. Adjorwerh-Nortey, District Chief Executive office, Dangbe West was grateful to the GJA saying the survey would help correct the wrongs of the district and put them on straight path. 9 May 08