By
Esther Awuah
As part of its mandate to migrate Ghana
onto the electronic payment system, the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement
System (GhIPSS) is expected to launch a new system called Ghana Link (GH-Link) card
today November 21, 2012.
Archie Hesse |
The infrastructure will interconnect all
ATMs in the country, and a bearer of the GH-Link card can redraw money from any
ATM, irrespective of the bank they save with.
Visa ATM card holders enjoy this service,
but the difference is that all ATMs in the country will carry the GH-Link logo making
them fully inter-operable.
Archie Hesse, General Manager in charge of Project and Business Development
at GhIPPS, explained that “if I need money, and I am with one bank, I do not
have to go round looking for my banks ATM machine. I can redraw money from any ATM
available. This will help increase accessibility and create a more convenient
way of banking.”
He noted that “the introduction of the GH-Link ATM cards forms part of
activities by GhIPPS to improve interconnectivity amongst banks.”
Mr. Hesse, in an interview with City&Business Guide, noted that GhIPPS was working with the banking fraternity to decide
on the interbank charges associated with the new system.
He noted that “on a pilot basis, a minimum
charge of GH¢0.40 has been set per transaction, but that is subject to review.”
He stated that in the first quarter of
2013, the hybrid Point of Sale (POS) device which would accept every electronic
card including the E-zwich and GH-Link Cards would be introduced.
This, he said, was also geared towards supporting
and encouraging card payments in the country.
“We have had some challenges with the
availability of POS devices and one of the points has been that E-zwich card
holders can access it. But with the hybrid POS devices all card holders can
access it making it more cost effective for the merchants,” Mr. Hesse
explained.
Airlines, hotels and grocery shops are expected
to take advantage of the new system.
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