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RISE uses mobile money module to promote financial inclusion

The Rural Initiatives for Self- Empowerment-Ghana (RISE-Ghana), a Non-Governmental OrganiSation operating in the five regions of north is using the Mobile Money Model to promote women financial inclusion, and reduce Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Northern Ghana.  

The NGO is implementing the model under a new project dubbed “Women Entrepreneurs in Northern Ghana Gain Access to Integrated Services via Agent Networks (WE GAIN)”which commenced in the Upper East Region and other parts of Northern Region.

The 90 Digital Financial Services plus Agents (DFS+ Agents)recruited under the project are drawn from   the Kasena-Nankana West, Nabdam, Talensi and Bongo Districts of the Upper East Region.

The Project is also expected to provide each of the beneficiaries with   a start-up capital grant of GH₵3,000 to start a sustainable mobile money business that is in demand in their respective local communities.

The United States Department led by the Grameen Foundation with support from America Bar Association Rule of Law Initiatives (ABA ROL Initiative) and Women and Girls Empowered is funding the implementation of the three-year project. 

These came to light during orientation programme on project organised for mobile money agents, spouses and families in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital on Friday.

Speaking at the programme , the Head of Programmes of RISE-Ghana ,  Miss Jaw-haratu Amadu, stated that the   project which  was using the DFS+ concept  with the support of MTN  was meant to empower women particularly spouses to render mobile money services  and  support fight against GBV which she noted was very  predominant in some communities in Northern Ghana

“Under the mobile money services  the beneficiaries who are christened as DFS+ Agents will be empowered  to deliver mobile money services  including   cash in, cash out, sending and receiving money from friends and family, mobile loans, mobile banking, e-insurance payments, bill pay and everything else on the MTN mobile money menu. On the non-mobile money services the DFS+ Agents will also be equipped with GBV skills to engage in GBV referrals and counseling alongside their mobile money services,” she explained.

Miss Jaw-haratu Amadu, indicated that as part of the project implementation strategies, the beneficiaries would be trained in Business Skills Training, Digital Financial Literacy Training, GBV Training  

The Head of Programmes told the beneficiaries that as DFS+Agents their roles and responsibilities would include the promoting and delivering mobile money products and services to women entrepreneurs in their respective communities and district to support them start and grow their businesses, sell mobile money products and services to community members; cash transfers, cash deposit and withdrawals, voucher sales, micro-insurance, NHIS renewals, and other mobile based products.

The Project Officer of RISE-Ghana, Mr AbubakarFatawu, told the beneficiaries that the project would earn them extra-incomes and improve upon their families’ life for years to come by selling mobile money products and services.

He stated that they stood to benefit from customers depositing (cash-in) and withdrawing (cash-out) money through mobile money, selling airtime, m

aking payments for utilities and SIM registration.

FROM SAMUEL AKAPULE, BOLGATANGA

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