The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has marked his first year in office with a special revenue mobilisation exercise in the Central Business District (CBD), aimed at strengthening the Internally Generated Fund (IGF) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The exercise, which covered key commercial areas such as Kinbu, Tudu and surrounding parts of the CBD, brought together Assembly Members, revenue collectors and AMA officials. They inspected payment receipts, verified toll payments, and engaged traders and business owners.
Officials used the exercise to encourage compliance, urging traders and business operators to settle outstanding levies and fees owed to the Assembly as part of efforts to improve revenue generation for development projects within the metropolis.
During the exercise, the Mayor also interacted with shop owners and market women to listen to their concerns and assure them of the Assembly’s commitment to improving trading conditions within the city.
Speaking to the media, Mayor Allotey said the Assembly deliberately chose to commemorate his first year in office through direct participation in revenue mobilisation activities instead of holding a ceremonial event.
According to him, improving revenue generation remains critical to the Assembly’s ability to undertake development projects, improve sanitation, maintain infrastructure, pay workers and deliver better services to residents and businesses.
He explained that the exercise was intended not only to mobilise revenue but also to educate traders and business operators on the importance of paying taxes, tolls and levies to support city development.
The Mayor stressed that Accra’s growth and transformation depend heavily on the willingness of citizens and businesses to meet their financial obligations to the Assembly.
Responding to complaints from shop owners about street traders operating in front of their shops, Mayor Allotey disclosed that new market facilities were being developed to relocate traders currently occupying pavements and roadsides.
He assured stakeholders that the Assembly would continue to balance enforcement measures with the protection of livelihoods through continuous engagement and practical interventions.
Mayor Allotey stated that the decision to spend his anniversary on the streets with revenue collectors reflected his commitment to hands-on leadership and his determination to improve conditions in the capital.
He reiterated that his administration would continue prioritising sanitation, decongestion, revenue mobilisation, public safety, infrastructure development and inclusive governance as part of efforts to reset the city.
Some traders and shop owners who interacted with the Mayor welcomed the exercise and appealed to the Assembly to intensify efforts to remove street traders from the frontages of shops, arguing that the practice affects visibility, customer access and business sales.
