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The public will have to accept electronic payment channels as their default form of payment, to stay safe as scientists predict that the Coronavirus will linger on for a while. This is because quite a number of electronic payment channels do not require physical contacts for payments to be effected.

 
Ghana has been rolling out a number of measures to help in the fight against the spread of the pandemic, including a partial lockdown at a point and currently, restrictions on social gathering among others.  However recent conversations globally point to a gradual easing of restrictions, to allow life to return to what is being described as the new normal.
 
Speaking in an interview, the Chief Executive of Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), Mr Archie Hesse said electronic payment is one of the ‘new normal’ that must be adhered to, in order to live with the virus.  He explained that there are several electronic payment options that do not require physical contact and urged the public to consider them as their default mode of payment, even if Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed.
 
Cash transactions have been described as a possible conduit for the spread of COVID-19 if the use of cash remains high. In advanced countries where e-commerce and electronic payment channels are common, the concerns about cash spreading the virus are hardly talked about, but Ghana is confronted with this challenge.
 
The Bank of Ghana, GhIPSS and financial institutions have been campaigning for the use of electronic payment options. But there are fears that people’s adherence to this advice could wane if restrictions are relaxed. But the GhIPSS Boss said a sustained campaign by all stakeholders could be helpful. He, therefore, urged financial institutions to continue to encourage their customers to use their electronic payment solutions.
 
The GhIPSS CEO noted that traders and businesses in general play a crucial role in getting the public to use more of the electronic payment channels. He explained that once merchants, including micro-scale operators such as table-top or corner shops, agree to accept mobile money and transfers from bank accounts, many people will find the need to use more of these channels than cash.
 

Mr Hesse, therefore, encouraged shop owners to accept at least the basic electronic payment channels such as mobile money. “Big shops and businesses can accept a whole range of electronic channels such as GIP, ACH, and other electronic transfers, while the medium can do the QR codes and even the bank transfers but there should be no excuse for people not to accept at least mobile money”, he stressed. “These electronic channels actually bring in more income to shop owners and businesses, because your customers have a wider option to pay you, including money that they do not readily have on them”, Mr Hesse added.

 
Mr Hesse urged the public to continue to observe the safety protocols and patronise businesses that give them electronic payment options.

conta ctThe public is being advised to use payment options that reduces their contact with persons in order to reduce exposure to the corona virus. The need to use contactless forms of payment has become necessary following the report of 6 confirmed corona virus cases in Ghana.

Many people rely heavily on cash for payment but that will not be the best option in this era of the pandemic, as it increases contact and the currency notes could also serve as carriers. The use of mobile money for payment and other electronic payment options such as internet banking, mobile banking applications as well as others such as Automated Clearing House (ACH) are preferred channels of payment in the wake of the pandemic.

Speaking in an interview in Accra, the Chief Executive of Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), Archie Hesse urged the people who have not signed up for electronic payment channels such as internet banking and mobile banking applications to do so in order to use them.  He also advised those who have already sign on to these electronic forms of payments to use them and reduce their use of cash.

“Even for the very basic transactions at market places, before you make any payment, ask if the person can receive mobile money, so that you pay with mobile money instead of cash”, Mr. Hesse emphasised. Mr. Hesse advised traders, shop owners and all merchants to accept mobile money and other contactless electronic forms of payments. “It is very important that those who sell to us must now prefer mobile money and other mobile payment options. Those who can, should even encourage their customers to pay them using internet banking. We have these contactless payment channels, let’s use them and save our own lives”, the GhIPSS Boss admonished.The GhIPSS CEO also advised corporate organisations to turn to ACH and other electronic forms of payment instead of cheques, since cheque increases chances of contact.

He commended banks who have sent out messages to their customers encouraging them to use electronic payment channels, saying that it was a step in the right direction. GhIPSS is in the process of rolling out QR codes, though this payment channel will require the physical presence of the customer, it none the less allow for the needed social distance, as the customer will only need to scan the displayed QR code, or dial the merchant’s code for those with feature phones. The world is reeling under the corona virus pandemic, and every effort to prevent its spread including payment, should be avoided, Mr. Hesse added.

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