The Bono East Regional Minister, Hon. Francis Owusu Antwi, has issued a strong directive to all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) within the region, mandating them to focus on generating and utilizing internal revenue as a primary source to fund developmental projects. Speaking during his inaugural address to the newly constituted council members, Hon. Antwi emphasised the untapped potential within every assembly to mobilise internally generated funds, which can significantly aid in the region’s socio-economic advancement.
Hon. Owusu Antwi underscored the importance of self-reliance, urging all MMDCEs to put in place robust and sustainable mechanisms to harness the resources within their jurisdictions effectively. “Every assembly has the capacity to generate income that will support our development goals,” the minister stated. He challenged local government executives to move beyond reliance on central government transfers and donor support, calling for innovative and practical approaches to revenue mobilisation.
The Regional Minister was categorical in his warning that any chief executive who fails to meet the targeted internal revenue collection without a justifiable reason would face the prospect of sanctions or even dismissal. “Accountability is paramount,” Hon. Antwi noted. “We cannot continue to sit back and wait for external funding while many opportunities go untapped. Failure to meet targets needs to be addressed with seriousness, for the sake of our region’s progress.”
He also appealed to all directors and stakeholders in the region to collaborate actively in translating this vision into reality. “This is not a call for the MMDCEs alone; directors and stakeholders must engage fully, providing the necessary support to enhance revenue collection and ensure that these funds are used prudently for the development of our communities,” he added.
The minister’s inaugural address marks a renewed commitment by the Bono East Regional administration to strengthen local government autonomy and development through internally generated revenue. This move aligns with national policy directions aimed at decentralising development initiatives and empowering local authorities to be agents of change within their communities. His Lordship, Kwame Gyanfi Osei, the high court judge of Techiman, swore in the council members.
In his speech, Hon. Antwi emphasised that the focus on internal revenue generation was also driven by the need to enhance service delivery across the region. Assemblies equipped with ample financial resources would be better positioned to tackle infrastructure deficits, enhance educational and health facilities, and implement community-based projects that directly improve the living conditions of the populace.
The regional minister also made an appeal for transparency and accountability in the management of internal revenue, stressing that the people’s trust and confidence in local administrations depended on prudent fiscal management. “We must ensure that every cedi collected is accounted for and used judiciously. This is crucial if we want sustained development and to boost public confidence in our assemblies.”
Council members and district executives who attended the session responded positively to the minister’s call, acknowledging the importance of the directive and pledging to adopt innovative and effective strategies for revenue mobilisation. Some members suggested the introduction of new revenue streams such as public-private partnerships, enhanced property rates collection, and community levies.
As the Bono East Region embarks on this renewed approach toward internal revenue utilisation for development, all eyes will be on the assemblies to transform these directives into measurable progress. The coming months will be critical as assemblies begin to implement strategies aimed at enhancing internally generated funds and deploying them effectively to meet the region’s development aspirations.
By Johnson Takyi- Nkyeremu News
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