The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has engaged with Okaikoi South Sub-Metropolitan District stakeholders to introduce the new centralised digital system and payment platform to them.

This is designed for collecting property rates and business operating permits. It aims to streamline revenue mobilisation and enhance transparency.

The meeting, held at the Okaikoi South Sub-Metropolitan District Council, was attended by property owners, business operators, and other interested partners.

The initiative forms part of the Assembly’s broader strategy to improve its financial management systems.

Mr Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the Head of Public Affairs at AMA, said the centralised digital system was developed to address challenges associated with manual revenue collection processes.

“This platform is purposely designed to ensure efficient revenue collection, which will help in funding developmental projects in the city. It will also help reduce leakages in the system and ensure accountability,” he said.

“It is secure, accessible, and efficient. We are confident that it will transform the way rates are paid in the metropolis.”

Nii Ankrah said plans were afoot to roll out the platform across all the sub-metros in Accra.

He called for collaboration among the stakeholders to make the centralised digital payment system succeed while reinforcing the Assembly’s commitment to improving service delivery and fostering local development.

He urged all ratepayers to embrace the new platform and pay their property rates and business operating permits promptly.

Mr Noble Atsu Ahadzie, the Director of Budget, AMA, emphasised the importance of digitalising revenue collection processes to enhance generation and provide convenience for ratepayers.

He described it as a significant step forward in modernising revenue collection.

Mr Ahadzi assured stakeholders that the platform was user-friendly and accommodating on both Android and basic mobile phones.

In a presentation by Omni Strategies, a key partner in the development and deployment of the digital payment platform, stakeholders were given a live demonstration, during which representatives explained how users could register, view their obligations, and make secure payments.

Participants expressed enthusiasm about the initiative but raised some concerns over its security.

They bemoaned the exorbitant charges demanded from ratepayers, unprofessional service delivery by rate collectors, and sanitation issues, among other things.