President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to introduce a digital wallet linked to Ghana’s national identification system as part of efforts to expand financial inclusion and improve access to digital financial services.
The initiative, alongside plans to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure from 2G to 4G, was discussed when the President received Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Queen Máxima, who is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, was in Ghana to engage stakeholders on improving access to affordable financial services, particularly for women, young people, farmers and small businesses.
President Mahama said the proposed digital wallet would facilitate access to digital services and financial transactions, while improved telecommunications connectivity would help extend financial services to underserved rural communities.
The discussions also highlighted the need to reduce the cost of digital transactions and explore ways of integrating traditional savings arrangements, particularly the susu system, into the digital financial ecosystem.
President Mahama acknowledged that the growth of mobile money had affected traditional savings arrangements, while taxes on mobile money transactions had encouraged some users to return to cash-based transactions.
He stressed that efforts to digitise traditional savings systems must preserve their communal benefits and the financial support they provide to members.
Queen Máxima, who recalled her previous visit to Ghana about 25 years ago as a Princess, highlighted the financial challenges confronting women traders and farmers following her engagements at Makola Market and with agricultural groups.
She stressed the need for better access to credit, insurance and appropriate financial products to improve productivity and strengthen livelihoods.
She also expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to advance financial inclusion through stronger public-private partnerships and digital innovation, pledging continued support through international partnerships and technical expertise.
The meeting reaffirmed Ghana and the Netherlands’ commitment to expanding financial inclusion and improving access to affordable financial services, with particular attention to women, farmers, young people and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
