Ghanaian minister-designate plans property rate overhaul

Mahama Ayariga, the Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has pledged to introduce significant reforms aimed at improving property rate collection across Ghana. Ayariga's plan centers on a nationwide exercise to identify and value properties, a crucial step he believes will enhance revenue mobilization for local development.

He noted that while Ghana has a street naming and house numbering program, it falls short of capturing the essential details needed for accurate property rate assessment. This deficiency has directly impacted revenue generation and consequently slowed down development initiatives at the local government level.

The proposed overhaul seeks to address these shortcomings by establishing a comprehensive property identification and valuation system. This initiative is expected to provide local authorities with a more robust financial base, enabling them to fund essential services and infrastructure projects.