Kumasi: The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region to submit their gazetted fees and levies to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) for review. This directive aims to ensure that taxes and levies imposed by the assemblies, particularly on mining operations, align with the provisions of the Local Government Act.
According to Ghana Web, the move follows reports that some MMDAs have been collecting taxes and levies on equipment and tools used in illegal mining activities within the region. Speaking at the inauguration of the Special Planning Committee and Technical Sub-Committees of the MMDAs in Kumasi, Amoakohene stressed the importance of adhering to guidelines governing land use and related activities under the Local Government Act. He emphasized the need for MMDAs to comply fully with existing by-laws on fee-fixing until new directives are issued by the Presidency.
Amoakohene further urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to ensure that individuals and companies engaged in mining, sand winning, and quarrying obtain the necessary business certificates and permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He cautioned against collecting levies from unauthorized enterprises that pose potential environmental risks, highlighting the importance of lawful and fair revenue collection to protect legitimate operators.
The Regional Minister also encouraged the newly inaugurated town planning committees to diligently work towards the development of the Ashanti Region. He advised careful assessment of lands before issuing building permits and warned developers against acquiring land in flood-prone areas, indicating that such structures could be subject to demolition by authorities.