Dear Management of ECG, it seems over the past months, the Electricity Company of Ghana has shifted from the direct cash payment system to the cashless payment system which is a laudable idea, but despite such initiative, I have rectified one problem with the new system and failure to address such problem immediately could tarnish the image of ECG and the developers of such app and most Ghanaians may use that as a yardstick not to pay their bills.
Looking at how technology is driving the economy of the world, it became imperative for the company to follow same suit to catch up with the ever changing business strategies to bring about flexibility, convieniency, trust and efficiency in power distribution.
According to the news extract published by Maclean Kwofi on May 16th, 2023 at 6:41 clarification has been given per William Boateng, Director of Communications of ECG's explanation on the new directives and initiatives of ECG which read;
After almost two years of piloting, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has fully operationalised its cashless payment system and is no longer receiving cash payment at all of its 300 ECG offices across the country.
Customers now requiring to either purchase power or pay their bills will be required to either make digital payment via mobile money or make payment at the bank.
The intervention, which came into effect, was part of efforts to make the power distribution company’s revenue mobilisation efforts more efficient.
“In the past few months, we have improved our digitalisation system and now ready to roll out the payment platform which is one of the key interventions to improve our revenue mobilisation.
“With this new digital payment platform, we will no longer receive cash at any of the ECG payment offices" William Boateng, Director of Communications, ECG said.
Customers will be required to either pay by mobile money or at the bank,” the Director of Communications, William Boateng explained in an interview.
He said this latest intervention formed part of the overall plans by the ECG to improve service delivery.
In 2020, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia launched the mobile app also known as ‘ECG Power’, with the aim of making it possible for about 2.8 million out of the 3.8 million customers of the power distributor to buy power at their own convenience.
When it was launched, only post-paid customers and customers with the smart prepaid meters could access the service.
However, after the pilot period and reviewing its performance, the plan was upgraded to fully integrate all customers.
How it works
From the ECG purchase App, customers would be required to dial *226# and follow the prompts to make payment.
Alternatively, they could pay from their mobile money wallet on the various networks, while those who choose to pay at the banks could collect a deposit slip from their ECG customer care office and go and make payment.
Once payment was effected, the customers’ account would be automatically credited.
Mr Boateng said this was because ECG had integrated its payment portal with all banks in the country, thus customers could pay at any bank of their choice.
“ In making our mode of collection more efficient, we are also mindful not to inconvenience our customers, so they can make payment by mobile money at anytime and from anywhere.
They also do not need to present payment receipts at ECG as the system allows payment to reflect in their accounts once payment is made.
“Also, there will be no service charge for using the digital payment platform, particularly through mobile money.
Customers will only have to pay their actual bills,” he emphasised.
Revenue mobilisation
From March 20 to April 20, the ECG embarked on a nationwide revenue mobilisation, vigorously pursuing customers who had failed to pay their bills for power consumed.
It recovered GH¢3.1 billion from a targeted GH¢5.7 billion owed the power distribution company by individuals and corporate entities.
Despite such greater effort to save money for mother Ghana from ECG customers through the quality services rendered, the problem on the app is that after making your payment, you get the receipt alright but the balance left whether 0.00 or 230, whatever is not seen, which can bring a bloody combat between the company and its valued customers. Where on earth will you do a transaction without getting access to your balance?
This situation must be addressed immediately because about ECG workers that I questioned on such challenge said that they themselves try to see their balance but to no avail. Will this bring transparency? Certainly no.
I hope that the concerns of your customers will duly be addressed. Counting on your usual cooperation. Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
..........signed.........
Afriyie K Boachie( Concerned citizen)