Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is piloting a digital payment platform to streamline interactions and payments for residents and businesses.
This new platform aims to simplify access to AMA services and boost the Assembly’s revenue.
Currently, accessing AMA services involves visiting multiple offices, using various payment methods, and dealing with lengthy paperwork and long queues. Communication with the AMA is mainly manual and slow, causing frustration among residents.
The new digital payment platform seeks to transform this experience by centralising all services and making them easily accessible online. By streamlining processes and improving communication, the platform is expected to enhance how residents engage with the Assembly and its services.
What’s Changing?
The new platform comprises two primary systems: the Billing Administration System and the Customer Self-Service System.
The Billing Administration System facilitates billing for various service lines available on the platform, including Business Operating Permits, Market Tolls, Parking Tolls, Property Rates, and Trader’s Licenses & Bulk Goods.
On the other hand, the Customer Self-Service System empowers users to access the platform via ama.gov.gh and make payments for any of the listed services. For instance, business owners can now conveniently settle their Business Operating Permits online.
This streamlined process allows them to review their bills, make payments from any location, and receive digital receipts and payment certificates that can be printed if required.
Market Tolls: Market traders can pay their daily tolls using mobile money or cash by simply dialing a code or following a link. They get instant SMS updates with their payment receipts, making it easier and faster to manage their payments.
Parking Tolls: Both private and commercial drivers can now pay for parking online or offline. Whether through a self-service portal or with the help of a revenue inspector, payments can be made using mobile money or cash, with receipts provided instantly.
Property Rates: Property owners can now receive digital reminders for their bills. They can also search for their property bills online, make payments, and receive receipts—all from the comfort of their homes.
Trader’s Licenses & Bulk Goods: Traders who deal in bulk items or operate market stalls can easily pay their bills online or offline. The new platform ensures they get receipts for their payments, reducing the need for physical visits to the Assembly’s offices.
For the A.M.A., this system will help streamline operations and improve communication with residents. By making it easier for its residents to pay for services, the Assembly expects to see a boost in revenue. This increased revenue will, in turn, be used to improve infrastructure and services within the city, making Accra a better place to live and work.
Recognising the potential for a revenue boost, Metropolitan Coordinating Director Mr. Douglas N.K Annoful declared the project a “game-changer.” “This digitization project could be a game-changer for our revenues”, he said.
“We are all aware that the A.M.A relies heavily on these revenues to function effectively and deliver essential services for our residents. By piloting this digital payment platform, we are aiming to streamline the payment process and make it easier for everyone to access and pay for services. Therefore, we are urging the public to participate fully by making their payments through this user-friendly system.
“Overall, this digital payment platform represents a significant step forward in our efforts to improve service delivery for our customers and all stakeholders in Accra,” Mr. Annoful concluded. “We are confident that this project will yield positive results for both residents and businesses, ultimately leading to a more efficient and prosperous Accra.”
Speaking about the pilot program, the Mayor of the Assembly, Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, emphasized the focus of her administration on streamlining city systems. She stated, “A key focus of my administration has been to simplify and organize how things work, allowing us to become more self-reliant in the long run. This initiative will not only enhance efficiency but also empower local communities to take greater ownership of their city’s success. A streamlined system ensures faster response times, better communication, and a more transparent process for everyone involved.”
The Mayor continued, “For the past two years, we have engaged and collaborated with technology partners like Omni Strategies to identify the best ways for the Assembly to streamline its services and revenue collection. The result of this collaboration is what we are piloting today. We are confident that this digital payment platform will deliver as expected.”
The introduction of this digital payment platform represents a significant leap forward in the digitization of urban services. Its implementation is poised to streamline the operations of the AMA, offering residents a more convenient and efficient avenue to access and settle service payments. This modernization initiative underscores the Assembly’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Accra.
As Accra undergoes continual expansion, innovations like these will be vital in ensuring that the city’s infrastructure and services evolve in tandem with the community’s needs. The debut of the new digital payment platform signifies more than just a technological upgrade; it symbolizes a commitment to delivering superior services and fostering a more interconnected community.