By: Kobina Baidoo
Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has announced plans to introduce a credit system in Ghana to alleviate financial burdens of Ghanaians.
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), made this known on Friday, May 17, at a campaign engagement with the clergy in the Nothern Region of Ghana.
He labeled the credit system as a one that has helped workers in many countries, particularly the advanced countries. “If you look at what happens overseas versus what happens in Ghana, especially the developed countries, you can tell that they have put certain systems in place to help them decrease their daily expenditure and that is the credit system.”
Dr. Bawumia explained how this initiative has been on his mind since 2010 and its ability to reduce the financial burdens of Ghanaians should it be launched. “Ghana needs a credit system and it needs to be done well. In 2010 I published this book and it highlights the credit system’s ability to change Ghana; Ghanaian workers are suffering because of lack of access to credit.” He said.
According to the Vice President, every Ghanaian with an ECOWAS National Biometric identity card (Ghana Card), will be eligible to apply for credit in the credit system. The system will be tailored to meet every Ghanaian’s basic needs. This will be monitored and recorded as the credit score which can be checked from time to time at one’s convenience. “My vision is geared towards digitalization and so we have to put systems in place that can help us to do what we call individualized credit scoring.”
Dr. Bawumia noted that all necessary proceedings are being executed between the Bank of Ghana and credit bureaus to make this possible and told Ghanaians to be in expectancy of the system’s launch soon. “Within the next few months I will be launched and as long as you have a Ghana card, you can go and get your credit score. We can do what the advanced countries have done and even more; it’s just a matter of having the mindset of possibility.”