THE AYAWASO Central Municipal Assembly (ACMA) is hosting a three-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting from October 1 to 3, 2025, to discuss key development issues and gather input on its 2026 Fee-Fixing Resolution.
Meetings are taking place at 10:00 a.m. daily at Market Circle, Malam Atta Market, and the Malam Atta Zonal Council.
This initiative reflects ACMA’s commitment to participatory governance, engaging residents under the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), to deliberate on proposed fees, rates, fines, and penalties.
The agenda covers development priorities, the draft fee structure, and an open forum for stakeholders to voice their perspectives. Municipal Chief Executive Mr. Rudolph Collingwoode-Williams encourages active participation.
Members of the Book Binder Association expressed apprehension about a proposed 20% fee increment. They currently pay between Ghc800 and Ghc1400 annually, arguing this increase is burdensome given their seasonal business – supplying graph books, mathematical sets, and exercise books to schools for only about 3 months when schools are in session.
Their operations halt during school breaks, impacting sales and ability to meet higher fees. Already paying Ghc800, a 20% hike to Ghc1000 feels unsustainable, risking their business viability.
The General Secretary of the Book Binding Association, Felix Oppong, highlighted that their supply of 1,000 to 2,000 books is significant enough to urge government recognition and support to sustain their business and employment contributions.
Mr. Oppong explained their work is tied to school calendars, unlike the printing press operators, making the proposed increment particularly challenging. The association pleads for the Assembly to reconsider the percentage increment to ease their payment burden.
The Assembly’s engagement, which ends tomorrow, aims for inclusive dialogue on local governance and fee structures impacting traders and residents in Ayawaso Central Municipality.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
