Dr Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister
Dr Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAS) to submit all their gazetted fees and levies to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) for examination.
The directive aims to ensure that taxes and levies charged by the assemblies on mining operations in their areas conformed to stipulations outlined in the local government Act.
The directive comes on the heels of reported collection of taxes and levies on equipment and tools used in illegal mining activities by some MMDAs in the region.
Dr Amoakohene, speaking during the inauguration of special planning committee and technical sub-committees of MMDAs in the region in Kumasi, pointed out that any tax, fees and levies charged by MMDAs, especially on mining operations, should strictly conform to the lay down guidelines on specific land operations stipulated by the local government Act.
He said it was important for MMDAs to strictly comply with existing by-laws governing fee-fixing until new directives were issued from the Presidency.
Dr Amoakohene urged the MMDCEs to ensure that all individuals and companies engaged in mining, sand winning, and quarrying, possessed the requisite legal backing by obtaining business certificates and licenses from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
He counseled the MMDCEs against hastily collecting levies from enterprises that lacked official approval and posed potential environmental repercussions.
The Regional Minister encouraged the newly inaugurated committee of town planners to cultivate confidence and work assiduously for the advancement of the Ashanti Region.
He advised them to meticulously assess areas that were not susceptible to flooding prior to issuing permits.
He also cautioned developers to refrain from purchasing land in flood-prone regions, as such constructions may be subject to demolition by the authorities.
