The President, John Dramani Mahama has received Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at Jubilee House in Accra, where the two discussed Ghana’s progress on financial inclusion and ways to improve financial health for underserved groups.
The Queen visited in her role as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health.
Queen Máxima recalled her previous visit to Ghana about 25 years ago as a princess, when she met the late Lady Julia Osei Tutu. She returned to Manhyia Palace in Kumasi during the current trip.
Talks centred on expanding access to affordable financial services, strengthening digital infrastructure, improving credit and insurance options, and attracting private investment to support inclusive growth.
Particular attention was given to women, young people, farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Queen highlighted her interactions with women traders at Makola Market and with farmers, including women operating tractors. She stressed the need for better financing, insurance and support services to raise productivity and strengthen household livelihoods.
President Mahama welcomed the proposals and restated the government’s commitment to wider financial inclusion and digital services.
He pointed to ongoing efforts to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure from 2G to 4G to improve internet access in rural areas, and to the planned introduction of a digital wallet linked to the national identification system.
The President also noted the traditional susu savings system and the impact of mobile money taxes, which have pushed some users back toward cash.
He agreed that lowering digital transaction costs and finding ways to digitise traditional group savings while preserving their social benefits would help bring more people into the formal financial system.
Queen Máxima praised Ghana’s readiness to advance financial health through public-private partnerships and digital technology. She reiterated her support through international partnerships and technical expertise.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation on financial inclusion and affordable services for women, farmers, young people and SMEs.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Deputy Minister James Gyakye Quayson also attended the meeting, which began at 11:00 a.m
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
