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Government launches 3 new policies to speed up digital payments
The government has launched three new policy initiatives designed to deepen financial inclusion and accelerate digital payments in line with its vision of building a payment system that accelerates economic development.
The policies are National Financial Inclusion and Development Strategy, Digital FinancialServices Policy and Cash-Lite Roadmap.
Mr Ken-Ofori Atta, Minister of Finance launching the policies said “Digital payments help drive transparency, accountability, efficiency, as well as greater women’s participation in the economy. Moving away from cash helps our country advance towards achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The National Financial Inclusion and Development Strategy, developed in collaboration with the World Bank, aims at increasing financial inclusion from currently 58 per cent to 85 per cent by 2023, helping create economic opportunities and reducing poverty.
The Digital Financial Services Policy, developed in partnership with CGAP, builds on existing technological gains to create a resilient, inclusive and innovative digital ecosystem that contributes to social development, a robust economy and a thriving private sector.
The Cash-Lite Roadmap, designed in collaboration with the United Nations-based Better Than Cash Alliance, puts forward concrete steps to build an inclusive digital payments ecosystem. This includes better access to financial services, enabling regulation and oversight, and promoting consumer protection.
According to the Finance Minister, “public and private sector actors need to work hand in hand, digitising in a responsible manner to turn these new policy initiatives into tangible benefits for all Ghanaians. These assertions are even more relevant in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In 2017, the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPPS) under the auspices of the Central Bank of Ghana, launched the Mobile Money Interoperability scheme to facilitate the simple and convenient movement of funds across mobile money platforms.
In November 2019, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, announced an initiative to pilot a Central Bank digital currency (CBDC) in a sandbox environment. This would foster competition, reduce the operational costs associated with cash and move the country closer to achieving its cash-lite objectives.
The Central Bank has also set up a Fintech and Innovation Office to drive the Bank’s Cash-lite, e-payments and digitisation agenda. Efforts at ensuring the development of the FinTech industry culminated in the establishment of the Ghana Chamber of Technology by industry players as its umbrella body. Among other things, the Chamber provides a forum for FinTechs and Payment Service Providers to share experiences and also serve as a single point of interaction with the Central Bank and key stakeholders.
Latest figures from GhIPSS show that the use of electronic payment channels that go through GhIPSS platform, went up by 81 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.
According to Dr Ruth Goodwin-Groen, Managing Director of the United Nations-based Better Than Cash Alliance, “Ghana is already recognised as a global digital payments success story! We look forward to continuing working with our member, the Government, as well as with the private sector and international organisations, to accelerate the new ambitious cash-lite roadmap, in a way that is responsible and responsive to the needs of all Ghanaians.”
BY TIMES REPORTER
The Attorney General has filed an application at the High Court seeking to set aside an earlier order that allowed Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, the first accused in a pending criminal case, to travel to the United Kingdom for specialist medical treatment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice said the application was filed on behalf of the Republic after new information came to the attention of prosecutors following the court’s decision on June 29, 2026.
According to the Office, the new developments significantly change the circumstances under which the court granted Mr. Aludiba permission to travel.
The Attorney General said court documents filed in support of the application allege that Mr. Aludiba attempted to use an order from a differently constituted High Court in a separate case to access money held in bank accounts that remain frozen under valid orders obtained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The Office said the bank reportedly declined the attempted withdrawal and informed the investigative authorities.
According to the statement, the alleged attempt happened shortly before Mr. Aludiba was scheduled to leave Ghana.
It said the development raises concerns about compliance with existing court orders, the integrity of the ongoing criminal trial, and the possibility that he may not return to face trial if allowed to leave the country.
The Attorney General said these facts were not before the court when it granted the travel request and could influence its decision if they had been known.
It said the application is asking the High Court to reconsider its earlier decision in the interest of justice.
The Office stressed that the application is part of the normal legal process under Ghanaian law and does not seek to determine the outcome of the criminal case.
It noted that Mr. Aludiba continues to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The statement further disclosed that following his arrest, Mr. Aludiba has been granted bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
The Office of the Attorney General said it will not comment further because the matter is currently before the High Court.
It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the integrity of criminal proceedings and ensuring due process for all accused persons.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has denied reports suggesting that GH¢308,000 was stolen from the Authority by one of its personnel.
In a statement, the DVLA said the money at the centre of the alleged theft case does not belong to the Authority and was not taken from any of its accounts.
According to the Authority, the case involves a personal dispute between two individuals, one of whom is a former National Service Personnel who currently works with the DVLA on contract.
It explained that although the individual is attached to the Authority, the alleged offence has no connection with its operations, finances or official duties.
The DVLA said it has not suffered any financial loss as a result of the incident and described media reports suggesting otherwise as inaccurate and misleading.
The Authority was reacting to a media publication with the headline: “DVLA Service Personnel allegedly steals GH¢308K to purchase Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a Samsung 50-inch television set and pay sibling’s school fees.”
It urged media organisations and the public to report the matter accurately to avoid creating the false impression that public funds belonging to the DVLA had been stolen.
The DVLA assured the public that its financial systems remain secure and that its operations have not been affected.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and accountability, adding that it has confidence in the legal process and will fully cooperate with the police if required.
By: Jacob Aggrey
