Bongo (U/E), Mar. 7, GNA – The Bongo District in the Upper East Region has inaugurated various Town and Area Councils as part of the local governance decentralization process.
The inaugurated councils include: the Soe Area Council, the Beo Area Council, the Namoo Area Council, the Balungu Area Council, the Zorko Area Council and the Valley Zone Area Council.
The roles assigned to the Town and Area Councils include the enumeration and keeping of all rateable persons and properties within their respective jurisdictions, assisting authorized persons to collect revenue due the Assembly, arrangement of revenue collection contacts with the Assembly and collecting of revenue due the Assembly.
They are also expected to protect and safeguard the properties and assets of the Assembly within their respective jurisdictions, make proposals to the Assembly for the levying and collection of special rates for projects and programmes within their jurisdiction.
Members of the Councils which are made up of some Assembly members and unit committee members are also expected to open bank accounts and help in controlling the outbreak of disasters such bush fires amongst others.
Inaugurating the Councils members, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr Alexis Ayamdor, said the Town and the Area Councils were critical to the implementation of the District Assembly concept.
The DCE, who is also a local government expert, said the Councils would help bring governance to the doorsteps of the people.
‘Today’s inauguration of the Town and Area Councils is to set the tone for popular participation in decision making. This will help the Assembly in its effective planning, budgeting and monitoring and also ensure proper accountability and transparency’.
The DCE said the Assembly has outlined some revenue items to be ceded to the Town and Area Councils for collection on behalf of the Assembly and entreated the members of the Councils to work hard to help enhance the revenue flow of the Assembly.
He called on the chiefs, community members and Assembly members to give their support to the Councils to enable them contribute positively to the development of the Assembly.
Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaarum, the Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, called on his sub chiefs to rally behind the Councils as they execute their functions.
Mr Richard Akamah, the Chairman of the Town and Area Council, said the Council would put in place appropriate committees to ensure that revenue collectors do not divert collected revenues meant for the Assembly.
