One-stop centre for public services opens in Accra

A multi-functional one-stop service centre to give the public access to services rendered by the various governmental agencies at a common location has been opened in Accra.

The facility will help limit the stress that members of the public go through when accessing such services from different locations in the capital.  

Currently, eight government institutions are operating at the facility, located within the Accra North Post Office at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

They are the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Water Company, the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Free Zones Board, the Ghana Revenue Authority and the National Communications Authority.

The project, which is an initiative of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), with the support of the Ministry of Communications, was funded by Huawei, a Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services provider.

Facility opened

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, the Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, said the establishment of the centre was a manifestation of the government’s commitment to give the public access to information and communications technology services.

He said the ministry was working to replicate the centres in the regional capitals and would convert the various community information centres in the  districts into similar centres.

“We are working towards improving easy access to service delivery in the country and this will be extended to the other regions and districts in no time. It is the intention of the government to use these innovative centres to better the lives of Ghanaians,” he stated.

Increased productivity

The Director-General of the NITA, Mr William Tevie, who described the centre as a state-of-the-art facility, said it would empower government institutions to provide prompt services for the public.

 He said currently the public service was faced with many challenges and it was expected that the one-stop service centre would help address some of the challenges.

He called on other government agencies to take advantage of the facility and urged operators in the private sector to avail themselves of the opportunities being offered to improve upon their customer service delivery.