Access Bank (Ghana) Limited has launched two innovative card products onto the Ghanaian market targeted at both customers and non customers of the Bank. The two products, Visa Prepaid Card and the Access Link Cards, were formally launched at a breakfast meeting with selected customers, industry players and key stakeholders in Accra on Thursday.

The introduction of the card products is seen as timely since they both complement the recent Bank of Ghana policy directives.

The Visa Prepaid card for instance aims at reducing foreign currency purchases in the country by encouraging travellers including business men, traders and vacationers, to load their money in cedis and spend in the currency of the destination country. On the other hand, the Accesslink Card which is a Gh-link accepted ATM card is aimed at roping in the unbanked and underserved segments of the market, as well as building an economy, with less reliance on cash for payments of goods and services.

Explaining the unique benefits of both cards, the Group Head of Personal Banking, Mr. Stephen Abban, said that “the Access Link card saves time and money since it can be used on any ATM in Ghana (with the Gh-link sticker) at reduced transaction or withdrawal costs”.

He noted that Access Bank is the first to deploy a functional EMV i.e. Chip and PIN based proprietary card on the Gh-Link platform, thus providing added security for card holders. Again, the Acesslink card which comes in Classic and Gold versions makes Access Bank the only bank to deploy 2 types of the Gh-link accepted proprietary cards in Ghana. As a safeguard against carrying large sums of cash, the Accesslink cards are currently been issued for free to both customers and non customers.

On the Visa prepaid card, Mr. Abban said “Access Bank had also made it possible for travellers (customers and non-customers) to receive their Visa Prepaid Card instantly when they request for them. Besides, they have the flexibility of loading and reloading any amount of Ghana cedis which they can use in any currency abroad’.

Both products he said are customer friendly and demonstrate the intention of Access Bank to make banking services convenient and affordable.

Speaking at launch, the Head of Financial Stability at the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Amoah noted that actors in the financial services industry have an important role to play in enhancing financial intermediation and contributing to the overall macro-economic stability of the country.

He was excited that the introduction of the Accesslink Card complements the Bank of Ghana’s efforts towards financial inclusion and a cash-light economy.

He commended Access Bank Ghana for introducing the cards and said that they are great products which when used properly will benefit the bank, its customers and the economy as a whole.

On his part the Managing Director of Access Bank (Ghana) Mr. Dolapo Ogundimu stated that the Bank takes financial inclusion very seriously and is therefore placing more emphasis on key segments of the retail market including; children, women, students, pensioners and SMEs among others.

“To us, financial inclusion is about improving lives, increasing access to basic financial services and empowering people to undertake entrepreneurial pursuits” he said.

He concluded by saying that Access Bank will in the coming months, roll out new, enhanced and specialized products to empower people in the various segments by giving them maximum value for their financial services.

Mr. Archie Hesse, Chief Executive of GhIPPS who was also present at the ceremony expressed optimism at achieving the long term goal of building a cashless economy. He said the usage and acceptance of GH-link platforms will transform the service industry and retain money within the formal sector to shore up the country’s savings. He congratulated Access Bank for taking a bold step to dedicate a card product solely for Gh-link.