Municipal and District Assemblies in the Volta and Oti Regions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on the usage of a Common Unified Platform to mobilise property rate on Thursday, 17^th November 2022 in Ho in the Volta Region.

The Municipal and District Chief Executives with the Coordinating Directors signed on behalf of the Assemblies.

As it may be recalled, the Minister for Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta during the reading of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament in paragraph 303 stated that the GRA would assists District Assemblies across the country to collect their internally generated funds (Property Rate) through a United Common Platform.

The Government, through the Ghana Revenue Authority was to assist the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) from January 2022, to implement a common platform for property rate administration to enhance Property rate collections and its accountability, thus the signing of the MoU by the MMDAs to kick-start the process.

Source:            PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT (MLGDRD)

The 2022 Ghana Urban Forum (2022GUF) slated for Monday, 31^st October to Tuesday, 1^st November 2022 has been organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) in Accra.

The Ghana Urban Forum (GUF),  a multi-stakeholder platform, brought together state and non-state actors who discussed issues affecting urban settlements and offered solutions that support sustainable urban development in the country.

The Ministry, over the years, has leveraged the GUF to solicit stakeholder inputs into relevant policies and strategic documents such as the National Urban Policy Framework and Action Plan (2012), as well as country processes leading to the adoption of the new Urban Agenda in 2016.

This year’s forum was organised on the theme: “Rapid urban growth in Ghana: promoting effective urban planning for liveable and sustainable cities and towns”.

The 2022 GUF looked at discourse on the definition of urban areas, sustainable urban development, and private sector participation in urban service delivery;

It solicited inputs into the update of the National Urban Policy (2012) and collaborated with key institutions on the New Urban Agenda and SDGs.

The forum was preceded by a breakfast meeting for editors and senior journalists to inform them and give them an overview of steps undertaken by the government in the urban space and what was being done to lift the current status of Ghana’s urban areas.

Source: PRO UNIT

A retiree and a former Head of the Department of Parks and Gardens, Mr. G. K. Owusu-Afriyie has donated about 40 books to the Department to boost horticulture and greening in Ghana.

The books were received by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Madam Marian W. A. Kpakpah on behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Daniel Botwe.

Mr. Owusu-Afriyie presenting the books said the books were his personal contribution to the enhancement of the Department and to boost the knowledge of the staff on the plants.

He acknowledged that through his association as a Parks and Gardens staff, he has benefitted a lot, adding that, the Department exposed him to many travels, and has benefitted and is still benefitting from plants.

He encouraged Ghanaians to spend time on plants while calling on the Ministry to develop a portal for every plant at the Aburi Botanic Gardens for plant lovers and students in horticulture to access knowledge sharing and an opportunity for children to also learn about plants.

Ms. Kpakpah expressed the Ministry’s gratitude for the gesture describing it as heartwarming and encouraged all to emulate Mr. Owusu-Afriyie’s gesture.

She said knowledge acquired cannot be taken away, thus staff should tap into knowledge for greater heights.

The acting Director for the Department, Rev. Charles Okine pledged that the books would be put to good use.

Source:   PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT (MLGDRD)