Challenges with E-zwich payment system: Case Study of Ga South Municipality Leap Program

Abstract

Electronic payments or E-payments are fiscal transactions made devoid of the use of paper documents such as cheques, bankers’ drafts and withdrawal slips etc. These E-payments systems include debit card, credit card, smart card, e-wallet, e-cash, electronic cheques etc. E-payment systems enjoyed disparate acceptance levels worldwide with some methods being highly favoured compared to others. This study investigates the challenges of implementing and using electronic payments in Ghana with a special focus on its use in the implementation of Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (Leap) Program in the Ga South Municipality of Accra, Ghana. This study found out that challenges militating against smooth implementation of E-zwich include difficulty of use where there is poor or no internet connectivity, fingerprint authentication problems, difficulty of locating banks accredited with E-zwich point of payment near beneficiaries’ residence. The study therefore recommends that implementers of the E-zwich payment system should invest more in efficient Internet systems and easy location of facility (banks of E-zwich points of payment) to enhance faster operations. Also Community Leap Implementation Committee (CLIC) officers should be resourced to continue with more sensitization and education on the use of E-zwich

Keywords

• electronic payment
• e-zwich
• livelihood empowerment against poverty
• cash transfer