Gh-link records GH¢ 200m worth of transactions

The gh-link platform has recorded more than GH¢ 200 million transactions since it was launched about two years ago.

The growth was recorded on the back of the increasing number of ATMs that are connected to the gh-link platform.

The electronic platform connects more than 1,300 ATMs across the length and breadth of Ghana, making it the most convenient platform that allows bank customers to access their accounts via ATM outlets.

Mr Mark Nyame Boateng, Head of Cards Operations at GhIPSS, described the patronage as awesome.

He said because gh-link was linked to more ATMs than its foreign counterparts, it was able to record significant growth in volumes and value of transaction within a very short period.

“But with a wider network of bank ATM,s gh-link has become the preferred interbank ATM platform in Ghana, recording more 1.6 million volumes of transactions worth more 212 million Ghana cedis over the period,” he said.

Besides, he said, the low cost in using gh-link ATMs also attracted more bank customers.

Mr Boateng said because it is a national electronic platform, all the transactions were terminated locally, which was also a good business case for Ghana.

The Head of Cards said with monthly transactions of between GH¢ 17 million and GH¢ 20 million on gh-link ATMs, it made more business sense for banks to issue their own cards (proprietary) to their customers for them to enjoy gh-link experience, which was cheaper and accessible in over 1,300 ATMs.

He said since GhIPSS was capable of terminating card transactions locally, he was hopeful that the internationally branded platforms, would opt to have their transactions terminated locally instead of doing them abroad when the transaction occurred in Ghana.

Mr. Boateng said with the success chalked, the next step was to encourage more people to rather use their ATM cards to shop directly.

“It is relieving to note that today all local cards can work in all ATMs, and those days of getting restricted to your bank’s ATM only with the frustration are gone,” he said. “Tomorrow we anticipate that we will use our local cards to shop and we all will be better for it”.