In a move towards digitalisation and improved service delivery, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has launched new digital payment platforms for the collection of Business Operating Permits (BOPs) and Property Rates. Residents and businesses can now conveniently pay for these services via the short codes *222*33# and *222*55#, respectively.
This move follows the successful pilot phase of the BOP platform, which received positive feedback from traders in the Okaishie Business District. “The manual way of distributing bills and mobilizing revenue was fraught with issues,” underscored Noble Atsu Ahadzi, Head of Budget at the AMA. “Partnering with a third party to digitize our processes brings much-needed efficiency. Now, ratepayers can make payments from the comfort of their homes, cutting down on costs and inconveniences.”
The new system offers several advantages, including real-time monitoring of payments, easy identification of defaulters, and enhanced transparency. “By dialing *222*33#, ratepayers can make payments and instantly print receipts and business certificates, eliminating the need to visit AMA offices,” Ahadzi explained. “This level of convenience and transparency is unprecedented.”
Traders who participated in the pilot phase echoed these sentiments. Sylvia Dzoboku of SYLTTEQ remarked, “Previously, we had to wait for bills to be delivered before making payments. Now, we receive messages on our phones, which is far more secure and convenient. We can easily show proof of payment anytime.”
While acknowledging the ease of the new system, Joseph Letsa of Lexter Ghana Limited suggested a minor improvement. “The previous platform was cumbersome. Now, we can make payments from our office. However, there’s a limit for cheque payments, which is set at 3,000 cedis. It would be better if this limit were reduced to 1,000 or 2,000 cedis to accommodate more transactions.”
Charles Djan, 2nd Vice President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), hailed the digitisation of these payment processes as innovative and strategic. “In the past, there were doubts about the legitimacy of those issuing receipts and invoices,” Djan stated. “The new system allows us to pay at our convenience and removes the stress of visiting AMA offices. This is a commendable innovation that should be adopted by assemblies across Ghana.”
As part of the platform’s rollout, the AMA has been actively engaging with businesses within its jurisdiction, creating awareness and educating traders about the digital revenue system. This engagement is particularly concentrated on the Business Operating Permit revenue stream, covering areas such as the Okaishie Business area in the central business district.
This digital transformation aligns with global trends towards e-governance and the increasing reliance on technology in public service delivery. By streamlining revenue collection and enhancing transparency, the AMA aims to improve service delivery and contribute to the broader goal of building a digital economy in Ghana.
