For Immediate Release
Accra, 11th July, 2023
AFRICAN UNION ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY: GOVERNMENT AND DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE WITH UNIFIED PROPERTY RATE ADMINISTRATION PLATFORM
In commemoration of the 2023 African Union Anti-Corruption Day which marks the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa, FOSDA is calling on Government and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to play their role in ensuring that there is adequate transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Unified Property Rate Administration Platform.
Ghana’s drive toward digitalization has considerably aided the fight against corruption, particularly in the public sector. Based on data available, the country’s continuous digital transformation continues to influence the fight against corruption.
Digitization is key at reducing the human element in revenue mobilization at the district level Without it so many infractions have been reported by the Auditor General including non-collection of revenue, unaccounted revenues among several others. These have contributed to the revenue leakages at the local level leading to annual financial losses.
Particularly for the Unified Property Rate Administration Platform which was launched in early 2023. It is a digital platform for the payment of all kinds of rates, fees, licenses, permits among others at the district level. It is embedded with satellite imagery of all the properties in the country. This allows for it to validate, bill property owners and track payments in real-time by central government and district governments. The 2023 Budget Statement and Economic policy, estimated an amount of GH¢165.4 million expected to be generated from the implementation of the Unified Property Rate Collection platform by the end of 2023. Moreover, the Ghana Revenue Authority’s simulations of 8.8 billable properties reveals that the following revenue can be mobilized; a total revenue of 1.7 billion at a rate of GH¢200 per property; 2.6billion at GH¢300 per property and 3.5 billion at GH¢400 per property.
The Unified platform is a key step in the fight against corruption in revenue mobilization at the district level. However, since its implementation little is known about its status and performance and how it is reducing corruption at the district level. To clarify this duty bearers must remain transparent and accountable with it.
The theme for this years’ day is “AUCPCC, 20 Years After: Achievements and Prospects”. The commemoration aims to encourage States Parties to the Convention to renew their commitments to the effective implementation of the provisions of the Convention, and to reflect on innovations that could facilitate a better functioning of the anti-corruption system for the Africa we want. Especially for the aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063, which calls for “An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law”.
For Ghana, the national digitization drive which has influenced digitization at the local level is commendable but require further reflections to enhance supply side accountability which can contribute to reducing perceptions of corruption. We believe that our call for adequate accountability and transparency will boost public confidence in the acceptance and patronage of the unified platform for local tax obligations.
We also take this opportunity to call government to ensure that a significant share of the proceeds from unified platform is invested in pro poor services to help in reducing poverty at the local level.
Finally, we urge the citizenry to support government and MMDAs digitization drive to make it a success for increased investment in pro poor service delivery.
Theodora W. Anti
Executive Director
Contact No. 0205336268
Email: Theodora@fosda.org