Kwasi Atuahene, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT), has urged the Ghana Police Service to leverage the newly launched ‘CitizenApp’ to enhance crime prevention efforts across the country.
Assessing its potential on ABC IN THE MORNING, Mr. Atuahene remarked that if developed properly, the app could serve as a powerful tool for citizen reporting, adding, “It is an application that the Ghana Police can take advantage of. If it is developed properly, with the right codes and security, there can be a portion where citizens can report crimes.”
The launch of the CitizenApp, which took place at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel on October 7, 2024, saw Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, outline its critical role in Ghana’s economic independence.
“As the world enters the fourth industrial revolution, it has become obvious that no economic strategy can succeed without a strong digital foundation,” Dr. Bawumia stated, emphasizing that the app would be instrumental in public administration, trade, financial inclusion, and more.
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the transformative potential of the app in tax administration.
He explained that the CitizenApp will simplify the complexities of tax compliance by offering a one-stop platform, saying, “One of the key areas where the CitizenApp will make an immediate and profound impact is in tax administration.”
According to him, the app will eliminate the need for individuals and businesses to navigate multiple platforms or physically visit offices, thereby fostering a more efficient revenue collection process.
The government assures that the CitizenApp will consolidate various services, enabling users to file taxes, apply for passports, renew drivers’ licenses, and pay utility bills in one place.
This assurance comes as a relief to citizens who have long faced hurdles in interacting with public services, as Dr. Adam stressed, “With the CitizenApp, all government transactions will be fully traceable and accountable.”