Elsie Addo Awadzi, the second deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), says the central bank is in the process of developing a new directive to promote access to finance for persons with disabilities(PWDs).
Awadzi said, “The exponential growth of digital financial services in Ghana is a real catalyst for promoting access to financial services for PWDs, given its potential to overcome many of the physical barriers that PWDs face in accessing traditional financial services.”
She was speaking at the launch of the German Development Corporation (GIZ) financial inclusion for Persons with Disabilities project in Ghana under the theme, “Bridging the Financial Access Gap: Inclusion for PWDs”.
The second deputy governor said, “The Bank of Ghana continues to make strides in providing a supportive policy and regulatory framework that allows banks, other financial institutions, and Fintechs to design and provide innovative digital financial services and products that respond to the unique needs of underserved segments like PWDs.”
Awadzi said, “The Bank of Ghana will continue to provide the enabling environment that supports a stable, resilient, and inclusive financial system, where the needs and interests of all consumers are met satisfactorily.”
The GIZ project responds to a global imperative to address the lack of access to critical financial services for many PWDs, as part of efforts to ensure more equitable and sustainable socio-economic development paradigms.
Under the project, therefore, GIZ seeks to increase accessibility of digital and analogue financial services for PWDs; strengthen the capacity of banks and other financial institutions to provide more financial services to PWDs, and provide an advocacy and advisory platform for promoting access to finance for PWDs
Awadzi said, “It is our hope also that implementation of the project will lead to the building of a viable and supportive ecosystem for PWDAs to enable them fully participate in education, the job market, entrepreneurship, health care, financial and other socio-economic activities. So that they are able to make a significant impact in their communities and contribute more fully to our socio-economic development as a nation.”
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
