General News of Saturday, 16 June 2007

Source: GNA

Bank of Ghana organises float on redenomination

Accra, June 16, GNA-The Bank of Ghana Ladies Association (BOGLA) on Saturday organised a float in Accra to educate the public on the redenomination exercise.

The float, which is the first in Accra, started at the BoG premises through the Makola market to circle, Agbogloshie, James Town and ended at the high street.

Mrs. Evenly Kwatia, president of BOGLA said the float was useful because the public had the opportunity to ask questions since it was on a one-on-one basis.

Mrs. Kwatia added that the float was to highlight and increase awareness about the redenomination, which takes off in July. ''We want the public to believe all they hear on the radio and television stations, and to know that the redenomination is real and try and ask all the necessary questions bordering them,'' she said. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), a trader at the Makola market, Mama Kwaley, said she heard about the redenomination but never believed it.

''I think I believe it now, especially with these conversion charts and flyers, I just have to take my time and learn them to help me in my business, so I don't get cheated'', she said.

Another trader at the Agbogbloshie market, Madam Fuseina said she appreciated the efforts of the BOLGA, especially with the conversion charts they had provided to the public.

Mrs. Esi Hammond, the Public Relations Officer of BoG said the float was a continuous education exercise on the redenomination exercise.

She said the traders were happy to see BOLGA on the float but were not ready to listen to the education, rather they wanted the conversion charts.

"They are only interested in the conversion charts and flyers but we want to educate them on how the new notes and coins looked like and how to handle them.

"The awareness level is very appreciable so far, we have a monitoring mechanism in place to check the level of understanding after every education exercise," she said.

Mrs. Hammond called on all to help in the education to make the exercise a success.

Mrs. Eleanor Laryea, a member of BOLGA, said they have taken it upon themselves to educate their communities on the one-on one campaign and their next float would be in Tema next week. 16 June 07