By Albert Futukpor, GNA
Tamale, Oct. 22, GNA – MTN Ghana has urged Mobile Money (MoMo) agents and merchants to update their Know Your Customer (KYC) records before the end of October to help prevent the fraudulent use of agent and merchant SIM cards.
Mr David Nana Addai, Mobile Money Channel Development Manager for MTN Ghana’s Northern Sector, said the exercise was necessary to ensure that MoMo agent and merchant accounts were registered and operated by the rightful owners.
He explained that some agent and merchant SIM cards had been sold or transferred to other individuals, creating opportunities for fraudulent activities and necessitating the update exercise.
Mr Addai made the call at a day’s meeting in Tamale organised by MTN MoMo Limited to discuss measures to prevent mobile money fraud and improve the business operations of MoMo agents.
The meeting also discussed customer service concerns, overcharging, and ways financial institutions could support agents to enhance their operations and service delivery.
Participants included MoMo agents, representatives of Absa Bank, Fidelity Bank, Prudential Life Insurance, officers of the Ghana Police Service, traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the Northern Region.
Mr Addai said MTN had deployed field teams and designated personnel to assist agents and merchants to complete the KYC update process, warning that accounts with unupdated records could be blocked.
He said MTN remained committed to supporting agents in the informal sector through insurance and pension services, recognising the risks associated with their work and the need to provide them with financial security.
Mr Addai said the insurance package offered benefits of GH¢20,000 in the event of death, GH¢25,000 for permanent disability, GH¢3,000 for temporary disability, GH¢5,000 for surgical procedures and GH¢10,000 for critical illnesses.
He added that the package also provided hospitalisation benefits of up to GH¢1,500 for agents admitted to hospital.
Superintendent Richard Odartey, in charge of Operations at the Northern Regional Police Command, urged MoMo agents to remain vigilant and adopt measures to protect themselves and their businesses.
He advised them to close their shops at reasonable times to reduce their exposure to attacks, particularly at night, and to remain alert to suspicious activities around their workplaces.
Superintendent Odartey also encouraged agents to build trusted relationships with their customers and promptly report suspicious activities and incidents to the Police.
Mr Abdul-Aziz Mumuni, President of the Northern Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana, called for more training opportunities, improved working conditions and stronger protection measures for MoMo agents.
He said adequate training and institutional support were necessary to help agents manage their businesses effectively and respond to emerging challenges in the mobile money sector.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Albert Futukpor 
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