The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has intensified efforts to recover unpaid property rates, with a special revenue mobilisation and enforcement task force visiting several corporate institutions in the capital to ensure compliance with the city’s tax obligations.
The exercise, led by the Mayor of Accra, Mr Michael Kpakpo Allotey, on Monday targeted a number of companies with outstanding property rate arrears despite receiving bills and demand notices from the Assembly.
The institutions visited included Africa Concrete Products, MeMo Shopping Mall, J.A. Biney Packaging Limited and Navista Partie Profs.
The mayor was accompanied by the Metropolitan Coordinating Director, Mr Douglas N.K. Annoful; the Metropolitan Finance Director, Mr Abeeku Amissah; the Head of Public Affairs, Mr Gilbert Nii Ankrah; revenue officers and members of the AMA task force.
During the exercise, management of Africa Concrete Products was given until Thursday to settle its outstanding obligations, while MeMo Shopping Mall, J.A. Biney Packaging Limited and Navista Partie Profs were directed to clear their arrears by Wednesday.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Mr Allotey stressed that the exercise was not intended to harass or intimidate businesses but rather to ensure fairness and adherence to the law.
He noted that many property owners and companies consistently fulfil their obligations and should not be placed at a disadvantage by those who fail to pay rates due the Assembly.
“The exercise is about ensuring compliance and fairness,” the mayor said, adding that the Assembly depended on internally generated revenue to fund development projects and improve service delivery across the metropolis.
Mr Allotey further indicated that the enforcement drive would be expanded in the coming days, with more defaulting institutions expected to be visited until substantial arrears owed to the city are recovered.
He urged companies and property owners who have received bills and demand notices from the AMA to settle their outstanding obligations promptly to avoid sanctions and enforcement action.
Under the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are empowered to impose and collect rates within their jurisdictions. Section 154 of the Act authorises assemblies to take enforcement action against ratepayers who fail to pay general or special rates after the stipulated notice period has elapsed.
The AMA believes improved revenue mobilisation will strengthen the Assembly’s capacity to undertake infrastructure projects, sanitation improvements and other essential services for residents of Accra.