KMA to introduce digital revenue collection to plug leakages
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has announced plans to digitize its revenue collection system as part of efforts to eliminate revenue leakages and improve internally generated funds for development.
The initiative is expected to strengthen accountability and address long standing financial challenges confronting the Assembly.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Richard Ofori Agyeman, disclosed the plan during an interview on Otec FM’s morning show Nyansapo on Monday.
He said persistent revenue leakages had significantly affected the Assembly’s capacity to mobilize resources needed to undertake critical development projects across the metropolis.
According to the MCE, one of the biggest challenges facing the Assembly is the manual ticketing system, which he said has created opportunities for fraudulent practices.
“We are working towards a digital revenue collection system to block the leakages. The current situation is affecting our ability to raise enough funds for developmental projects,” he stated.
Hon Ofori Agyeman alleged that some officials assigned to collect revenue were defrauding the Assembly by issuing unauthorized receipts instead of official KMA receipts.
“Some people entrusted with revenue collection are using their own receipts instead of the Assembly’s official receipts. That is cheating the Assembly and denying us the revenue we need,” he said.
Describing the current state of the Assembly as a “crime scene,” the MCE said the financial challenges had reached worrying levels, making it difficult for the KMA to execute essential intervention programmes.
He noted that inadequate revenue had hampered the Assembly’s ability to undertake projects such as desilting choked drains to reduce flooding within the metropolis.
Hon Ofori Agyeman expressed optimism that the planned digital system would help seal loopholes in revenue collection, improve transparency, and restore public confidence in the Assembly’s financial management.
“Once we fully digitize the revenue collection process, we will eliminate these leakages and ensure every pesewa due the Assembly is properly accounted for,” he added.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah
