Accra, March 24, – Public sector payments in Ghana are entering a new era of digitalisation, as the Government officially signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to integrate electronic payment systems and gradually phase out manual cheques.
The agreement links the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GHIPSS), the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), and the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) platform, making GHIPSS the sole authorised payment channel for MDAs and MMDAs.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Controller and Accountant-General Mr Kwasi Agyei described the reform as a game-changer for public financial management, noting that manual cheque systems have long caused delays, inefficiencies, and reconciliation challenges.
“Electronic payments are not just faster—they are secure, auditable, and reduce risks of leakage. This is a fundamental shift in how public funds are managed,” he said.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko said the rollout will follow a phased approach, with full enforcement by year-end. The reform also enhances commitment controls, ensuring government expenditures stay within budget.
Head of Civil Service, Mr Aggrey Darko, called on public officers to embrace the system, describing it as a “safety valve” for fiscal discipline and responsible governance.
The initiative builds on recent amendments to the Public Financial Management Act, which require MDAs to secure ministerial approval before committing state funds. By combining GIFMIS with GHIPSS, the Government now has a fully traceable end-to-end electronic payment system, marking a historic step toward modernised, accountable public financial management.
GHBUSS
March 24, 2026
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