[ 2011-04-07 ]

Viability of e-zwich touted despite low patronage
Managers of the national biometric payment
platform, the e-zwich have defended the viability
of the platform, dismissing criticisms that it is
a failure.

Joy Business’ George Wiafe who has been
assessing the platform reported that, set up more
than three years ago by the Bank of Ghana, e-zwich
was meant to be a secure electronic platform for
Ghanaians to pay for goods and services and
thereby reduce the dependence on cash.

Patronage by the public however appears rather low
with most people unaware of its existence.

Many people Joy Business spoke to on the streets
know virtually nothing about the e-zwich.

This is despite the heavy investment into massive
advertising campaigns by the Ghana Interbank
Payment and Settlement Systems, (GhIPSS).

Very little is however now heard about the e-zwich
on the various media platforms.

But the head of Project Development and Business
Development at GhIPSS, Archie Hesse says they are
now concentrating on rolling out more point of
sales where subscribers can use their cards, and
be less on aggressive advertising.

He further explained that more than half a million
subscribers have signed up to the platform with
more of them increasingly relying on it for
especially cash withdrawals and remittances.

Three years after its establishment however, it
will only be prudent that a stock take is done.
Such an exercise would not only help bring out the
lessons but also provide an opportunity for the
injection of more vibrancy.

Source - JoyOnline

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