Editorial
Ghana Card registration: Needles back and forth process
Dear Editor,
After nearly two years of waiting for my National Identification Card (Ghana Card), I decided, on Tuesday morning, to pass by the NIA District Office at the Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, where I was told my card had been dispatched.
Security men at the entrance of the assembly welcomed me with a smile and directed me to the room the NIA staff were accommodated. I entered confidently to grab my card so I could go ahead and register my SIM card that same week.
There was a queue at the entrance with new registrants trying to go through various processes. But I went ahead to speak to an NIA officer and I told her my mission there. I was not made to land before the young skinny lady told me: “our system is down.”
That, definitely, was not the response I was expecting so I probed further and she then gave me a winding explanation that they still needed to capture my finger print in the “system” before they issued the card to me. I asked “when will the system be restored” and the response was “I don’t know.”
I left the premises thinking about the cumbersome nature of the entire NIA registration and why it would certainly not be the fault of citizens if they are unable to register their SIM cards by the supposed March 31 deadline.
I thought issuance of card should be done without any “system” challenges after my previous follow-ups led to different excuses as to why the card could not be printed the same month I did the registration.
I went to a local NIA registration centre in August 2020 and here I am in March 2022, still chasing my card due to a “system” challenge. I know I would get it eventually but I must say the back and forth are needless, to say the least.
Prince Opoku-Gyamerah,
Teshie-First Junction,
Accra.
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
