Telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana is urging government support to promote its Mobile Money Transfer service as an alternative to bulk cash transfer. Over two million subscribers nationwide are currently on what industry players believe to be the fastest and secured way to send and receive money via a communication gadget. But officials of MTN say the service is under-subscribed at a time bulk cash transfer has become a risky venture. Commercial Manager, Eli Hini says government’s support in the form of education will not only boost confidence of subscribers but also clear doubts about the genuineness of the service. Run with partnered banks, the Mobile Money Transfer allows subscribers to transfer and withdraw cash electronically. It enables subscribers to pay utility bills with the help of mobile phones without visiting offices of service providers. Workers can also take advantage and convert their salaries in cash into electronic one through partnered banks which can be withdrawn at any MTN merchant or outlets anywhere and every time without the hustle and bustle of visiting the bank. With the introduction of an auxiliary service known as Quick Advance as part of the MMT, workers of companies which subscribe to the service can be paid of 40 per cent of their salaries in advance. This is to address the financial challenges of workers. The service is widely accepted over bulk cash business transaction in some African countries such as Kenya. Though the service was introduced in Ghana last year, a fraction of MTN’s 11 million subscribers are enrolled. At a product launch in Kumasi, Mr Hini tells Nhyira Fm despite the numerous opportunities presented by the Mobile Money Transfer; coverage is still low and wants government’s involvement. “If we have government also involved, government now talking about it as a way of business, I am sure people would be more confident. Now it seems as if it is only the telcos like MTN who are talking about it so people are not too sure the level of support that it has across the economy. “But if bankers are talking about it, if the Central Bank is saying that is the way to go. If central government is advocating that all their subsidiary businesses and staff who get paid over the counter can now register their wallet and use this medium, people would begin to now see the seriousness and the fact it is true and it exist,” Mr. Hini explained. Meanwhile, MTN plans to extend the service to the international market as it introduces the Mobile Money Transfer to the United Kingdom in April. This means Ghanaians at home can easily receive money transferred on their phones by their relations abroad. Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services are also expected to be introduced within the same period.