Bawumia clarifies, "I never said you can use your Ghana card to buy a car."

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia corrected comments attributed to him at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) awards ceremony recently, stressing that he did not say that the Ghana Card could be used to buy a car outright.

The explanation was made in the middle of conversations that were started by the vice president's earlier remarks about the Ghana Card's many uses.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Bawumia underlined the government's dedication to using technology to provide simplified and effective services while speaking at the GIPC Awards ceremony on Friday, December 8. He emphasized how the Ghana Card is incorporated into many facets of daily life, including its ability to make transactions easier.

Vice President Bawumia addressed the subsequent conversations and any misunderstandings by emphasizing that he never proposed a direct connection between the Ghana Card and an automobile purchase.

"One of the issues facing Ghana is the deficiency of an efficient credit system in comparison to other developed nations. In Ghana, your monthly subsistence is your income. In other jurisdictions, the credit system essentially increases your consumption possibilities."

"I was saying that one of the things that we don't have in Ghana right now is a system for credit score that the referencing agency would typically use. Of course, what I said was taken out of context, and others even refuted it, claiming Ghana does not have a credit system that customized for each individual.



"But now with the cooperation with the central bank, we are very close to introducing an individualized credit scoring system in Ghana next year which allow us to differentiate risk from individuals and that was the sense which I said that an individualized scoring system will have the Ghana card as that anchor because it is a unique identifier for everybody and that will allow credit to be more accessible to all of these companies here who will then be able to offer credit to many consumers"

"The Ghana card being the anchor, some people misinterpreted that saying you can use the Ghana card to buy a car which doesn't make sense, the Ghana card will help you get credit to be able to assist you making payments of goods and other services" according to him

The clarification aims to provide context and prevent any misinterpretation of the intended message conveyed during the GIPC awards ceremony. Beyond the specific clarification, the incident highlights the ongoing efforts of the government to advance technological initiatives that contribute to the ease of doing business, enhance service delivery, and create a more digitally inclusive environment for citizens.

Given the significance of the Vice President's statements and their potential impact on public perception, the clarification aims to ensure that citizens have a clear understanding of the intended message. It underscores the importance of responsible communication, especially when discussing matters that have broader implications for public understanding and confidence.

The 20th edition of the Ghana Club 100 Awards by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) took place on December 8, 2023, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre.

The event recognized and celebrated the achievements of the top 100 companies in Ghana’s business landscape, acknowledging their significant contributions to the country’s economy across various sectors.