The Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mr Vanlare Dosoo said government's desire to achieve macro-economic stability and its avowed declaration of a new era of business place a huge responsibility on banks to develop innovative products to help the business community.

Speaking at the launch of Barclays Bank US dollar Visa Gold Card in Accra, Mr Dosoo said fundamental changes in the banking sector worldwide require that banks become more customer-focused in order to meet the complex demands of a more sophisticated clientele and also stay in competition.

The Gold Card is a dollar denominated charge card that is acceptable the world over and offers the business community and individuals a convenient means to pay for their transactions while outside the country. It is a collaborative effort between Barclays Ghana and Barclaycard of the United Kingdom.

The Deputy Governor underscored the Central Bank's desire to move from a cash-based economy to the use of plastic cards and cheques, saying this would not only help to reduce the amount of money in circulation but also save money used in the printing of the notes.

He praised huge investment in Information Technology by the banks not only to streamline their operation but also to offer innovative products.

The Managing Director of Barclays Bank, Mr Kobina Quansah said it is the bank's vision to use its expertise to deliver more customer-focused products.