In the fast paced era of digitization, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has decided to adapt to cashless methods of payment where customers can purchase credit without visiting vendors or ECG offices. In wake of that, the Legon District branch of ECG has organized a walk to raise awareness and educate customers on the use of the ECG PowerApp.
In an exclusive interview with UniversNews, the District Manager of Legon branch, Mr. George McClean elaborated that ECG is committed to providing excellent and convenient services to the people of Ghana, hence, the introduction of the ECG power app and the USSD code for a facilitated payment option.
“This is basically to tell the public of this our Cashless system. Now ECG has gone through digital transformation and either for customers to walk to our district offices to make payments and transactions, we have the introduction of our mobile app. There are times you lose power at the midnight, you cannot get any vendor and ECG offices are closed. So we brought this to be able to buy your credit anytime, 24/7 and enjoy your power.”
“Now at the comfort of your home, you can just buy credit at your convenience and this is geared towards enhancing our customer service delivery.”
Mr. McClean further explained the accessibility of the application, noting that users who do not have smart phones to use the app can resort to a short code.
“Now if you use android phone and iPhone and you get the app on playstore or app store, you can easily use it. We also have short code, so that if you are not using smart phone, you can dial *226# and go through the process. It’s just like any other USSD processes you go through and you can easily transact.”
He finally added that their offices are opened to enlighten customers who may find challenges with the use of the application.
“We are running commercials through print media on the TV for the education. If you have challenges, you can walk to our offices and we have customer relations officers who will take you through the processes and within five minutes, you will be able to get it. It is very simple and you need not to be an educated person, once they take you through within five minutes, you will be okay with it”.
Whilst engaging with some Ghanaians who took the educational flyers by ECG that were shared during the float, it was revealed to UniversNews that the development by ECG seems very beneficial; they also urged ECG to ensure that everyone gets the digital meter for the effectiveness of this cashless system.
“What I saw about this is that, it will help us in such a way that, quickly you can pay your bill or top up your meter whiles you are in need, especially when your light goes off somewhere around midnight but ECG should make sure all old meters are being changed to the digital one to match the system that they have introduced which will benefit all of us because it is something very useful.”
About ECG Mobile Application
The ECG Mobile App enables customers to top up credit for their smart prepayment meter, pay electricity bills online, report and resolve issues, receive notifications and alerts from ECG and generate bank invoice for payment.
The application accepts payment from mobile money wallets, VISA and Mastercard for ECG transactions. Moreover, mobile money transactions do not attract e-levy charges.
In accessing the app, smart phone users can download ECG PowerApp on Google Playstore or Appstore and sign up with their phone numbers. Non-smart phone users can dial *226# and select the appropriate ECG service and follow the prompts. Web portal users can visit, www.ecg.com.gh/webportal and sign up with their phone numbers and login.
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Story by: John Collins Kaledzie | univers.ug.edu.gh
