CHALOG pushes for revenue privatisation amid KMA scandal

The Chamber of Local Governance (CHALOG) is calling for privatizing revenue collection. This applies to Metropolitan Assemblies across the country.

This request follows a police investigation in the Ashanti Region. Four staff members from the Revenue Department of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) are involved. They are accused of being part of a fake ticketing scheme that defrauded traders at the Kumasi Central Market.

In an interview on Channel One News, Dr. Richard Fiadomor spoke about this issue. He is the President of CHALOG. He believes that private sector involvement would improve accountability and efficiency in local development funds.

Dr. Fiadomor stated, “Revenue collection should be privatized.” He explained that private collectors cannot hold money for long periods. Assemblies can monitor them closely, unlike government staff who may delay depositing funds.

He also criticized KMA leadership for negligence in oversight. He said they failed to enforce proper monitoring of revenue systems. The KMA must be held accountable for these gaps.

Dr. Fiadomor suggested better monitoring practices within KMA's hierarchy. There is a Chief Executive, Coordinating Director, and Finance Officers overseeing revenue operators. He noted that some Finance Officers might be complicit in these issues, making monitoring difficult.