Electronic platform for payment of govt goods, services in offing – Ursula

Government is set to launch its electronic payment platform for payment for government goods and services in few weeks.

Already, some public agencies such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Passport Office have such payment platforms.

According to Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the foundation of digital economy has been laid and this payment platform will help reduce corruption, enhance transparency and improve revenue generation.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful told Class Business that the government is committed to using technology to enhance its work.

“We are setting up an electronic payment platform for all government goods and services which will be operational within the next few weeks, and that will ensure that when a citizen pays for goods from any government agency it will go directly to the agency. We will receive notification that the payments have been made and received and notification about when the service will be delivered.

“For those who have applied for passports that is already rolling out, it’s going to be replicated across governments; and that for us will also reduce corruption and enhance transparency and give the Finance Minister more visibility on the quantum of internally generated funds,” she explained.

The Ablekuma West lawmaker pointed out that Ghana will become the hub of technology in Africa in the next two years saying “Other digital initiatives will be rolled out but like I say it’s quiet a revolution which is ongoing on because within the next two years, we’ll see Ghana as the go to place of all IT and showcase the way for a digital economy thriving as we host the Continental Free Trade agreement which will be powered by IT.”