Canada pledges support for local govt system
The Canadian government has affirmed its commitment to support the local government system in Ghana.
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The Canadian High Commissioner, Ms Heather Cameron, said the German and the United States (US) governments would administer a grant on Canada’s behalf to support Ghana in the mobilisation of tax revenue at the district levels.
The High Commissioner made this known when she paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, in Accra on Tuesday.
Courtesy call
According to Ms Cameron, the call was to affirm her country’s support to the Government of Ghana.
“We want to confirm our partnership with the Government of Ghana. Germany is also committed to administering the grant together with the US on behalf of Canada,” she stated.
The call was also to discuss Canada’s feminist international assistance policy as the High Commissioner believed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had critical roles to play in advancing gender equality in Ghana.
Canada’s feminist international assistance policy seeks to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as the most effective way to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world.
Response
Hajia Mahama welcomed the initiative by Canada to support Ghana in the local government system.
She said it was important for the districts to work together by looking out for innovative ways to increase their revenue.
In line with that, she said, the ministry had been working with some districts, especially with regard to addressing property, street naming and valuing property to raise more revenue.
“We welcome this support because the government puts a lot of emphasis on revenue generation not just by the national offices, but also the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), and focusing on property evaluation and addressing is critical,” she added.
She stresses that the ministry would consider gender mainstreaming as part of its staff requirement.
