Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
THE
ELECTRICITY Company of Ghana (ECG) yesterday launched a new software
application that makes it possible for power consumers to buy or top up credit for both postpaid and prepaid meters
using their mobile phones.
The ECG
Power Mobile App, which was launched by Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at
the Electro-Volta House in Accra, directly links the meter of customers to
their phones, making it easy for them to recharge their credit wherever they
may be.
Dr. Bawumia who
described it as historic said, “ECG for the first time in its long history is
employing technology to tackle two major problems; first, improve on one of its
critical functions of delivering power to its customers; and, secondly, address
the more serious challenge of mobilizing its revenues from power delivery
effectively and efficiently.”
He charged
management of ECG to leverage on all available but relevant technology to bring
into fruition the total transformation of the company. According to him, with
the new app, “there can be no excuse for system failures, unreliability and
inaccuracies.”
He commended
the team of ECG who developed the application.
He also charged management of ECG to continue to provide their staff with the necessary support, tools and productivity-enhancing incentives to deliver on the job.
“We look
forward to more innovative and productivity-enhancing measures to improve
efficiency and reduce the cost of electricity to Ghanaians,” he said, adding “the
issue of solving the collection problem at ECG is a major part of solving the
energy issue in Ghana.”
Even though
the new app also enhances collection, Dr. Bawumia said he had been talking to
the board chairman and the managing director to also consider applying
technology, artificial intelligence and remote sensors in the collection
process.
When
successful, he indicated that the issue of power theft would be a thing of the
past.
“I know that
they are piloting the system now and by the grace of God if all goes well, we
will have implemented a new system, starting this year, whereby nobody will be
able to steal electricity in Ghana again,” he added.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent