The Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet), a community-based advocacy group in the Nkoranza South Municipality has been sensitizing residents in the area about the core roles of various departments of the local assembly as well as the need to honour their tax obligations.

This exercise is being carried out in partnership with the municipal assembly as part of measures to enhance local governance and cement the cordial relationship between the people and the assembly.

It is expected that the exercise will boost revenue mobilization by the assembly, empower the community members to effectively engage the assembly on pertinent issues bothering them as well as devise effective ways of promoting community development.

In attendance in the sensitization programs were traditional authorities, youth groups, women groups and other local government structures in ten communities namely, Kyekyewere, Akuma, Barnufour, Brahoho, Abuontem, Asuano, Nkwabeng, Bonsu, Akumsa Domase, and Bredi No 1.

“This sensitization meeting with our CiCoNet members has shown me that I can report any community development issue to the assembly, and they will think of ways of solving it for us”, a community member at Kyekyewere said.

“I never knew that it is so important to pay property tax but after this engagement I’ve resolved to ensure that I pay it per the Assembly’s by-laws”, he added.

CiCoNet advocacy group exists to advocate for collective action in their communities and work with local government structures towards sustainable development.

The sensitization at their community level by the CiCoNet group stems from the training they received as an advocacy group in the importance of taxes and the roles of the various departments in the Nkoranza South Municipality. The purpose of their sensitization was to equip their community members with knowledge on the type of taxes and levies collected by the assembly and encourage them to pay their taxes as well as educate others on the importance of taxes and tax adherence.

Credit: So Abapa Boateng, ACA’s Community Trainer in Nkoranza South