The National Democratic Congress has reportedly introduced a system for payment of dues and filing fees to the party using the QR Code and Proxy Pay platforms launched in March 2020 by the Akufo-Addo government under the office of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Among other systems such as mobile money, the QR payment system is being used by the NDC to mobilize funds ahead of its branch, constituency, regional and national Elections. Deputy General Secretary Peter Boamah Otokunor reportedly hailed the innovation as members will only scan an Pay for the cash to reflect at the National office.
The QR Code payment was introduced as part of plans to enhance digital payments as the government pursues a cash-lite agenda.
It will be recalled on Thursday, November 19, 2020, Vice President Bawumia to formally outdoor the Universal Quick Response (QR) Code and Proxy Pay system bought waakye with the digital payment system and was mocked by some NDC elements on social media.
The Vice President said the QR Code makes it possible for all merchants, service providers, and institutions to receive payments from bank accounts, e-zwich accounts, mobile money wallets, or internationally issued visas or MasterCards instantly
“I expect big things for Ghana, going forward, and we are riding on the rails of the Mobile Money Interoperability. Everybody should look to using the QR code, download whatever application. What is important is that, even if you don’t have a smartphone, you can use the system. It works both for smartphones and the ‘yam’ phones to make payments.” He said.
The Vice President was accompanied by the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, representatives from the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS), Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), and the Fidelity Bank.
Proponents of the proxy pay and Universal QR Code platforms say it is a cost-effective way of payment which will among other things allow for mass participation.
The Universal QR Code solution works like a barcode at the supermarkets where a buyer scans the displayed QR code to complete payments.
With the rolling out of the platforms, Ghana joined countries like China, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to promote digital payments.
