Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has unveiled “CitizenApp,” a comprehensive mobile application that integrates all digitized public services in Ghana into a single digital platform. The Citizen App is tailored to serve as a one-stop personalized platform for Ghanaians, with the goal of streamlining access to a variety of government services, enabling users to report issues, and providing up-to-date information on public affairs.
The app is designed to facilitate a range of transactions directly from users’ mobile phones, including the payment of utility bills, settling local assembly fees, acquiring digital addresses, booking intercity transportation, and updating personal records such as name changes following marriage.
Dr. Bawumia confirmed that CitizenApp’s data interoperability framework is part of a broader initiative to create a digital ecosystem that links all government agencies in Ghana. This interconnected system is expected to allow for the smooth exchange of data between agencies, thereby enhancing the sharing of information and improving the efficiency of government services.
The Vice President emphasized the significance of this unified platform, stating, “With this single, user-friendly platform, we are consolidating public services to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and convenience for all citizens and residents of Ghana.”
He also pointed out the benefits for new parents, as the app now enables them to apply for their child’s birth certificate directly through the platform, thus eliminating the need for repeated visits to government offices. “From the moment a child is born, parents can now apply for a birth certificate with ease, without the need for multiple trips to government offices. The digital system allows for faster processing, giving parents more time to focus on their newborn instead of worrying about paperwork,” Bawumia explained.
This launch is a continuation of Ghana’s commitment to digitalization. Earlier in January 2024, the government announced that certain services, including applications for New Service, Separate Meters, and Additional Load, would be exclusively processed through its mobile application as part of its digital transformation strategy and customer service improvement efforts.
In February 2024, the Rent Control Department (RCD) of the Ministry of Works and Housing in Ghana also declared its intention to digitize its operations. This move would mean that landlords, tenants, and the department itself would conduct all transactions through a specialized online portal, negating the need for physical office visits.
Moreover, in July 2024, Ghana introduced a maintenance mobile application called “Maintain My Road” along with a call center, as components of an enhanced road maintenance initiative. This application allows citizens to report road issues by uploading images and descriptions of road defects and pinpointing their precise locations using GPS technology.
