The Project Coordinator of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has called for an increase in revenue allocated to district assemblies to ensure sustainability and development.
Mr. Antwi Boasiako, addressing the committee on the fourth day of deliberations, shed light on existing revenue sources, such as the District Assemblies Common Fund—a subject frequently mentioned during the discussions.
He proposed that a mayor be appointed to oversee cities with multiple districts, describing it as the best way forward. According to him, the mayor could explore alternative revenue sources for district development, including municipal bonds and equity participation by companies operating within the districts, which could also create job opportunities.
His assertion was based on Article 1858 of the 1979 Constitution, which provides that a percentage of income generated from exploited resources by the central government be allocated to district assemblies. The act stipulates that “not less than 15% of the net revenue accruing to the government from dues, rent, royalties or from the operations of any enterprise or undertaking of any person or body of persons as so ever described operating within the area of authority of a district council in respect of land or mineral resources shall be paid by the government to that council for the purpose of development in that area.”
He also expressed concern about the central government retaining a significant portion of resources, leaving districts underdeveloped due to insufficient funding. He stated, “Basically, the districts that we have,if they all have the resources to develop each of them,then the whole country gets developed to the districts to perform this all-important function of development.”
Additionally, Mr. Antwi Boasiako proposed that all natural resource-based corporate entities operating within districts allocate at least 5% equity shares to the respective districts as carried interest.
He emphasized the potential of each district to integrate development with support from the central government, particularly in property valuation. “This is the role that central government has to play. That is all that they have to do so that district assemblies can have current values of properties within their jurisdiction to be able to generate property rates for their development. It is not for central government to just award a contract for somebody to take 40% of property rates that assemblies are going to generate.” he proposed
