The Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) and the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) have asked customers of banks to continue using the digital banking platforms to transact businesses.

The two bodies urged customers to visit the banking halls only for urgent needs to avoid overcrowding in the banking halls, as part of efforts to protect themselves and bank workers from the coronavirus pandemic.

To that end, the GhIPSS and the GAB, have agreed to extend the waiver of fees on digital banking platforms to June 20, 2020.

The waiver, which took effect on March 23, 2020, was part of efforts to encourage the use of digital payment options to limit the possible spread of the novel Coronavirus through the use of cash.

GhIPSS had wanted to resume charges GhIPSS Instant Pay (GIP), Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) and ACH Direct Credit, however, the decision was rescinded after the intervention of the GAB.

A joint statement issued on Thursday, 22 May 2020 said, “The Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) and the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) have agreed to extend the waiver of fees on digital banking platforms to June 20, 2020.

“We therefore encourage all our customers to continue using our alternate digital banking platforms and visit physical branches of Banks only when it is absolutely important and necessary to do so”.