AMA Unveils New Digital Payment System for Property Rates and Business Permits

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has rolled out an innovative digital payment platform designed to make paying business operating permits and property rates easier for residents and businesses.

The new system, which can be accessed via shortcodes 22233# for business operating permits and 22255# for property rates, is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the city’s revenue collection processes.

This initiative is part of AMA’s broader strategy to modernize its revenue systems, improve data accuracy, and streamline services for stakeholders.

The introduction of the system was made during a Rate Payers’ Training program held at the Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan Council.

The training was organized to help ratepayers understand how to use the new platform, which allows payments to be made directly from mobile phones, along with the added convenience of downloading receipts and certificates online.

Nobel Atsu Ahadzie, AMA’s Director of Budget, emphasized that the system is designed to be user-friendly, accessible even to those with basic mobile phones.

“This platform will allow ratepayers to check their bills via SMS, a customer portal, or USSD,” said Ahadzie. “They can also make payments using mobile money, bank cards, or through their banks.”

Additionally, the platform is equipped to handle payments for a range of services, including property rates, market tolls, parking fees, and commercial signage.

The goal is to reduce middlemen involvement, curb corruption, and improve accountability through real-time payment tracking.

The digital platform has already been successfully piloted in the Ashiedu Keteke sub-metro, and following its success, it is now being expanded to the Ablekuma South and Okaikwei South sub-metros.

This expansion will ensure that all three areas benefit from the digitalization effort.

While there were concerns about potential job losses among AMA revenue collectors, Ahadzie reassured stakeholders that these workers would be reassigned to focus on enforcement and customer education.

This would ensure that businesses adopt the new system while maintaining compliance.

Mr. Richard Tagoe, the Assembly Member for Korle Bu, praised the initiative, calling it “long overdue.”

He stressed that the new platform would help secure the AMA’s revenue, preventing leakage and corruption.

He also urged the AMA to strictly enforce the laws and regulations to ensure successful implementation.