Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS) has introduced a new dual-purpose EMV and financial inclusion payment card .
The Gh Dual Card is a new product to be rolled out by the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS), and is a two-in-one payment card that has both the e-zwich and gh-link applications. It can, therefore, be used either as e-zwich, gh-link or both as desired on payment platforms.
According to GhIPSS, the card has been designed to give cardholders access to both funds on their e-zwich cards and in their bank accounts at the same time, and seeks to eliminate the inconvenience that comes with carrying multiple Cards.
The card can be used by cardholders for any point of sale purchase across merchant locations; ATM cash withdrawals; ATM PIN change; and Balance Enquiry. Thus, any customer who has an e-zwich card and also owns a bank account can opt for a Gh Dual Card instead of two separate cards.
Depending on a request by a customer, an issuing bank of the new card can activate any of the functions which would serve a customer’s purpose.
Speaking at the launch, Vice President Bawumia celebrated the strides Ghana continues to make in the quest for greater financial inclusion, in order to ensure holistic national development.
“We have in the past two years seen a convergence towards electronic based services as a country and it is a deliberate policy by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to use technology to drive efficiency as we grow the economy and move Ghana beyond aid. Many a time we tend to look at what other countries are doing without recognizing the great strides we are making.
Dr Bawumia added that to eliminate the phenomenon of ‘ghost’ workers once and for all from government payroll, all government workers should be paid through the filter of the e-zwich card.
In the payment systems space, and I’m not shy about saying this, it is clear that Ghana is now the undisputed leader in Africa.” He stated
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GhIPPS, Archie Hesse, the introduction of the GH Dual Card was in furtherance of creating convenience that would motivate customers of financial institutions to prefer cards to cash.
He, therefore, called on banks to issue their customers with both e-zwich and gh-link cards based on the customers’ preference in line with the requirements of the central bank.
Mr Hesse said the features and functionalities of the two cards had been combined to give options to financial institutions.
