The Dormaa Municipal Assembly is to prosecute 1,200 landlords for non-payment of property rates in the Municipality, Mr. Peter Nketiah, Budget Analyst at the assembly has disclosed.
He said the Assembly has compiled the names and other particulars of the landlords who would appear before court after the Easter festivities .
Mr Nketiah disclosed this at separate tax education fora at Amasu, Kwamesua and Tronan, all in the Municipality.
Organised by the Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), a Non-Governmental Organisation and Gift FM, a Dormaa-Ahenkro-based radio station, the fora were aimed at sensitizing the communities on the importance to pay their taxes.
The fora formed part of a 15-month programme being implemented by the NGO and the FM station, with funding from Star-Ghana, and aimed at promoting revenue mobilization and utilization within the Municipality.
Mr. Nketiah noted with regret that most landlords in the Municipality had failed to pay their property rates, which ranged between 3 and 50 Ghana Cedis, adding that the Assembly has issued several notices to the defaulters, but to no avail.
He said non-payment of property rate attracted a penalty of GHC500, indicating that when defaulters are prosecuted, it would deter like-minded others.
Mr. Nketiah observed that the Assembly’s revenue collectors went through hell in the discharge of their duties, as most of the people, especially traders and landlords, are always reluctant to pay their taxes and rates.
Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF, explained that the project was being implemented in about 13 communities in the Municipality at the cost of 50,000 dollars.
He said the support of the local communities was highly appreciated to make the project achieve set goals and targets.
Mr Ahenu acknowledged support from the Dormaa Municipal Assembly and the Media.
Source: GNA