UNV Programme initiates pilot revenue project in Tema

The United Nations Volunteer UNV) Programme has embarked on a pilot project to boost the income of Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) as part of a long-term measure to improve on the income levels of local government administrations in Africa.

"The UNV project in Tema is a large success. The municipality authorities have testified to a net increase in their revenue generation and also a remarkable improvement in confidence and trust between the Assembly and tax payers," Mr Joseph Oji, UNV Programme Officer in Ghana told the Ghana News Agency in Accra at the weekend.

Mr Oji, who quoted a number of documents to elaborate on the merits of the two-year project, said the focus was on the causes of the deficiency in the municipal system of collection and management of taxes.

"This deficiency constitutes a serious and recurring problem in Tema and many other cities. It has a direct effect on the capability of the local government to provide urban infrastructure and services."

Mr Oji said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank Global Initiative were supporting the project to reverse the low revenue problem, which is the bane of the development efforts of local government administrations on the continent.

Mr Oji noted that there was a high degree of default in the payment of taxes, a problem, which is fundamentally related to lack of social cohesion and confidence.

He said: "Tax payers do not trust local authorities regarding the management of taxes collected."

As a result, a team of UN Volunteers and other stakeholders embarked on a civic education process to build trust in people to honour their tax obligations.

Mr Oji said an important component of project was the funding of the technical capacity of TMA Revenue Department, traders, butchers, drivers, artisans, restaurant, chop bar and drinking bar operators and other tax payers to streamline revenue collection.

The series of consultations led to the production of an Action Plan for the development of Tema that tackles issues like "governance and development," "market potentials and economic development," "waste management and health," and "security and development."

Mr Oji announced the formation of a UN Volunteers Association in Ghana that brings together Ghanaian nationals who have served under the UNV programme to harness their knowledge and skills in the development of the country.

The UNV supports human development globally, by promoting volunteerism. It is administered by UNDP with focus on economic and social development.

In Ghana, there are 24 volunteers working in various fields including public administration, water and sanitation, household food and micro-credit, business and community relations and enterprise support projects.