IBM Plan Seeks To Map Growth and Optimise Revenue Collection In Accra, Ghana

IBM Plan Seeks To Map Growth and Optimise Revenue Collection In Accra, Ghana PR Newswire ACCRA, Ghana, Aug. 3, 2012 - Accra set to transform its financial strategy to gear up for continued growth ACCRA, Ghana, Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A team of IBM (NYSE: IBM) specialists today announced a comprehensive set of recommendations to help the city of Accra boost its income from city services. Earlier this year, Accra applied for, and won, a Smarter Cities Challenge grant from IBM, which sent some of its top employees to work and live in Accra for three weeks. At the end of their engagement, the team delivered a workable blueprint to city authorities that will enable more efficient revenue management. The IBM team's recommendations aim to supplement the city's existing revenue collection initiatives through the innovative use of technology, which will streamline processes and harmonize operations across city departments. Accra's influence has grown exponentially in recent years as it moves to cement its position as a leading urban hub on the west coast of Africa. The city's population growth is among the highest in Africa, and is expected to double within the next 20 years. "Accra's rapid growth presents a unique set of challenges. In particular, as a city authority we struggle to capture and retain all income from the services we provide.