Manual cheques will go – Mahama outlines new electronic transfer system for public payments

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening public financial controls, warning that continued bypassing of the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) poses risks to transparency and accountability.

Addressing the African Association of Accountants General, he said some covered entities continue to issue manual cheques and bank letters outside GIFMIS, undermining established safeguards.

According to him, these practices provide quick access to funds but compromise the credibility of the national financial management framework.

Mahama stressed that the non-usage of GIFMIS affects timely financial reporting, limits real-time data for decision-making, and increases the risk of financial irregularities.

He announced that, in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System, the Accountant-General’s Department will introduce an economic funds transfer system to all commercial banks by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

This will phase out manual cheques entirely.

The President added that the administration has operated “10 months of no scandal” and aims to maintain that record through its first year and beyond, underscoring the government’s stance against corruption.