The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has just launched a shortcode-based payment system, making it easier for business owners to acquire operating permits.
This new system allows businesses to pay permit fees using their mobile phones, eliminating the need for in-person visits to AMA offices.
The AMA’s goal is to modernize its services and create a more efficient administrative framework. By simplifying the payment process, they aim to save time, reduce congestion, and improve service delivery for Accra’s business community.
This initiative is part of a larger trend across Africa, where cities are leveraging technology to enhance public services. For instance, Ghana recently launched CitizenApp, a mobile platform that consolidates various government services into a single, user-friendly application.
To use the new system, business owners can dial _222_33# or _222_55# to make payments directly through their mobile phones. The AMA plans to expand this initiative across its sub-metros, following a successful pilot in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District.
While this new system promises to improve the ease of doing business in Accra, it’s not without its challenges. The AMA will need to address digital literacy among business owners and ensure reliable mobile network services to achieve widespread adoption.
