The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to overhauling the current property tax system and empowering local authorities through fiscal decentralisation, as part of efforts to boost sustainable urban development.
This was announced during the official opening of the International Urban Property Tax Workshop, jointly organised by the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) and the Local Government Network (LoGNet).
The event brought together city managers, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, and key stakeholders from across Africa and Europe.
Speaking at the workshop, a government representative Ibrahim Ahmed Minister for Local government and religious Affair who daubles as member of parliament for Banda Constituency justified critical role of property taxation in strengthening local governance and service delivery.
“Property taxation must become the lifeblood of our local service delivery systems,” the Banda MP stated, adding that the government is firmly committed to abolishing the current centralised system of rate collection.
The proposed reforms aim to transfer property tax administration to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), equipping them with the technical support and innovative tools needed to maximise local revenue mobilisation.
The workshop served as a platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing on best practices in urban finance and property tax policy, with a focus on improving city resilience and development outcomes across the continent.
The initiative is part of Ghana’s broader agenda to strengthen local governance structures and promote inclusive, sustainable urban growth.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
