The government is preparing to overhaul the collection of property rates by eliminating cash payments and introducing a centrally controlled electronic system for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced the planned reform at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Monday, October 5.
Under the proposed system, property owners will be able to pay their property rates electronically through mobile money and bank transfers.
Mr Ayariga said the move was aimed at addressing inefficiencies, inconvenience and revenue leakages associated with the existing property rate collection system.
“Our existing property rates regime is plagued by inefficiencies, inconvenience to property owners and outright corruption – where moneys paid end up in private pockets,” Mr Ayariga said.
He said the government was also focused on improving service delivery by local authorities, arguing that better services would encourage citizens to voluntarily meet their property rate obligations.
According to him, this approach would reduce the need for aggressive enforcement measures to compel property owners to pay.
Mr Ayariga said the recalibrated property rate collection system was being developed in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and development partners.
The planned centralised electronic system is expected to provide a more streamlined mechanism for collecting property rates while strengthening accountability in the management of revenues generated by local authorities.
