Telecommunication giant, MTN-Ghana, last Wednesday launched its mobile money month under the theme, ”let’s go cashless with MTN mobile money”.
The month long celebration which falls every August, is used by the company to assess the benefits of the mobile money, emphasize its relevance and also to explain its features to the public.
Addressing a hugely patronized and colorful durbar at the Poku Trading grounds in Adum to herald the celebration, Mr Peter Bimpeh, Commercial Manager for MTN-Northern Business District stressed the vital role the mobile money platform is playing in the lives of Ghanaians.
IMPACT:
Touching on the impact of the service, the Commercial Manager posited the mobile money platform had reduced theft on traders and businessmen.
He explained traders as well as businessmen who occasionally carried huge monies do not need to carry such on their bodies while travelling since these monies can now be put on handsets which has been registered for the service.
He noted no matter the amount one had on his or her wallet or account, same could be retrieved at any point where an MTN vendor is offering the service.
COVERAGE:
Mr Bimpeh enthusiastically disclosed the MTN-mobile money platform alone had about 6million subscribers currently.
The platform, he added had about 46,000 people serving as merchants or agents across the length and breadth of the country.
CHALLENGES:
Mr Bimpeh, however, indicated the service has had very challenging moments despite the current successes throughout the country.
He maintained the first few years of the service was met with slow and low patronage since it was new to the public.
People, he stressed were not familiar with the service and had difficulty buying into the concept, but added the service is enjoying an impressive patronage.
NEW DRIVE:
On the way forward, Mr Bimpeh noted, ‘ the benefits of a cashless economy were huge and would go a long way to impact the country positively’.
He said, ‘reduction in the cost of currency printing, lower risks for individuals and banks associated with transporting currency notes and increased service options were benefits the country stand to gain from a cashless system like the MTN-mobile money’.
Some patrons who spoke to the Ghanaian Observer later at the function commended MTN for the mobile money system.
Abena Frema, a journalist with Light Television, a subsidiary of the Unity Group of Companies recalled the enormous benefits the platform had given her.
She said her mum now receives remittances at the click of a button on her phone.
