Bawumia launches 'ECG Power' app for online credit purchase

Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Tuesday, 18 February 2020 launched a mobile application called ECG Power that allows customers to buy electricity at their convenience from the Electricity Company of Ghana.

It was designed ICT staff of ECG.

The app allows 2.8 million out of the company’s 3.8 million customers to make payments for power purchased and services rendered by the company through their mobile phone.

Old meters are to be replaced with new ones compatible with the app which will make the number of users rise.

Smartphone users can download the app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store, create an account, add the meter number, and top up or pay bills from their mobile money wallets.

Customers who use phones that are not smarts can dial *226# and follow the prompts to enjoy the same service.

Launching the app on in Accra, Dr Bawumia said this “innovative application” “will enhance the delivery of an essential public service to all ECG customers – from households, organisations, small businesses and industry”.

“This is historic in the sense that the 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, second, address the more serious challenge of mobilising its revenues from power delivery effectively and efficiently.

“With this new application, customers can now buy electricity credit from the comfort of their homes, anytime and anywhere. What is more, you can now buy credit for distressed family members and for acquaintances.

“All this is well in line with President Akufo-Addo’s vision to use digital technology to transform the economy of Ghana,” Dr Bawumia said, adding: “The programme of the government, which we are consistently delivering to Ghanaians, is to use technology to bring about a total transformation of the way we go about our daily tasks, the way we do business, and the way we govern ourselves.”

While commending the Board, management and staff of ECG for effectively using the pilot period to iron out the kinks in the app, he urged them to take steps to provide the necessary support systems for efficient management of the Mobile App.

“There can be no excuse for systems failures, unreliability and inaccuracies,” he cautioned.

Dr Bawumia said: “We, as a government, believe in local solutions to tackling local problems and I want to express my congratulations to the team of ECG staff that developed this application. Like Oliver Twist, we look forward to more innovative and productivity-enhancing measures to improve efficiency and in so doing reducing the cost of electricity to Ghanaians.”