The Managing Director of Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), Clara B. Arthur has stated that Ghana’s payment interoperable infrastructure is now delivering effortless, real-time transactions across banks, mobile money platforms, and fintech services.
Speaking at the 3i Africa Summit 2026, Clara B. Arthur emphasised that Ghana’s payment ecosystem has evolved into a fully integrated network, driven by resilient infrastructure and strong partnerships across the financial sector.
She illustrated this transformation with a simple but powerful example from Makola Market, where a trader expressed a clear preference for mobile money without questioning whether funds originated from a bank account or a digital wallet. According to Arthur, that expectation reflects a system that works seamlessly in the background powered by interoperability.
“That moment represents more than technology,” she said. “It reflects trust, access, and progress.”
Arthur noted that when GhIPPS was established in 2007 by the Bank of Ghana, its mandate was to transform Ghana’s payment systems by building interoperable infrastructure that connects all players while reducing the cost of financial services.
Today, she said, that vision has been realised.
Through key platforms such as the GH-Link national switching system, domestic card schemes, instant payment services, mobile money interoperability, cheque codeline clearing, and direct debit systems, Ghana has developed a unified payments architecture that allows funds to move seamlessly across institutions.
Crucially, Arthur stressed that this connected ecosystem has been built through sustained collaboration between banks, fintech companies, and mobile money operators, under the regulatory oversight of the Bank of Ghana.
As the industry continues to evolve, she highlighted the need for deeper collaboration and innovation-driven leadership to sustain progress. In response, GhIPPS is taking strategic steps to strengthen the country’s financial infrastructure and support the broader ecosystem.
One of the key initiatives is the migration to the ISO 20022, a global framework that will align Ghana’s payment systems with international standards. Arthur explained that this transition will enable richer transaction data, improve efficiency, and facilitate faster settlements.
Also Read: GhIPSS CEO declares: Ghana’s payment system will reach matured inclusivity stage next year
She also pointed to emerging opportunities in the virtual asset space, noting that GhIPPS is preparing to collaborate with service providers following new regulatory developments, ensuring innovation is supported within a secure and structured environment.
Beyond Ghana, Arthur reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to continental integration, stating that GhIPPS is ready to connect with other instant payment systems across Africa to enable seamless cross-border transactions.
“As the infrastructure provider, our role is to provide the rails upon which our partners build solutions,” she said, adding that this approach is key to expanding financial inclusion and improving the financial well-being of Ghanaians.
She concluded that Ghana’s digital finance journey is ultimately a story of partnerships where institutions have prioritised collaboration over fragmentation.
This collective approach, she said, has resulted in faster transactions, broader access, reduced costs, and increased trust, ensuring that for everyday users, like the Makola trader, seamless digital payments are no longer a luxury but an expectation.
