The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC has partnered with the Ghana Interbank Payments and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) to train its staff on the Automated Clearing House Near Real Time (ACH-NRT) Direct Credit Service.
The initiative marks another milestone in ADB’s ongoing commitment to digitizing its operations and improving service delivery for clients across the country.
The collaborative training session brought together staff from diverse departments—including Asset Finance, Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, Credit Risk, and the Ridge Branch of the Bank. It focused on deepening their understanding of the ACH-NRT system and equipping them with the practical knowledge required to handle real-time electronic fund transfers efficiently.
The ACH-NRT platform represents a groundbreaking shift in Ghana’s banking landscape. Traditionally, direct credit transfers could take between 24 to 48 hours before recipients received value. However, with the NRT system, payments can now be completed in as little as 15 minutes, ensuring near-instantaneous fund transfers between accounts across different banks.
The Team Lead of Partner Engagement & Bulk Payment Department at GhIPSS, Elsie Adiku, explained that the NRT platform guarantees faster transaction settlement, significantly improving efficiency within the banking ecosystem.
“This means that on the ACH Direct Credit Near Real Time platform, it will take only 15 minutes for money sent from Bank A account to hit or be credited to Bank B account(s). This allows the recipient to receive value within the shortest possible time, rather than having to wait for 24 or 48 hours.”
Elsie Adiku
This innovation is expected to greatly benefit both corporate clients and individual customers, especially those involved in time-sensitive transactions such as payroll processing, supplier payments, and interbank transfers.
A New Era of Convenience and Reliability
For ADB, the ACH-NRT initiative is more than just a digital upgrade—it is a strategic investment in the bank’s vision of delivering seamless, technology-driven financial services. The bank’s Deputy Managing Director in charge of Services, Professor Ferdinand Ahiakpor, emphasized that adopting the NRT system is part of ADB’s broader effort to enhance operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
“The Near Real Time (NRT) payment channel offers a better and quicker alternative to cheques,” Professor Ahiakpor explained. “As a customer-focused institution, we are continuously investing in the development of our people and systems to provide faster, more reliable banking experiences.”
He further highlighted that globally, the use of cheques as a mode of payment is gradually declining, with digital payment solutions such as ACH-NRT emerging as more secure, convenient, and efficient options.
During the training, officials from GhIPSS took ADB staff through the operational framework, benefits, and technical processes of the NRT ACH Direct Credit system. The training emphasized the system’s potential to reduce settlement delays, curb financial fraud, and improve transparency across banking transactions.
The Head of ADB’s Clearing Unit, Gibrila Osumanu, noted that the ACH-NRT service would offer real value to customers while strengthening the bank’s internal operations.
“The ACH-NRT system not only speeds up transaction times but also improves accuracy and helps curb fraudulent activities. This is a major boost to our customer service delivery and overall efficiency.”
Gibrila Osumanu
For many ADB employees, the training provided hands-on exposure to the technology driving Ghana’s evolving digital banking infrastructure. It also underscored ADB’s commitment to staff development through continuous learning and capacity-building initiatives.
Strengthening the ADB–GhIPSS Partnership
ADB and GhIPSS have maintained a productive working relationship over the years, with both institutions playing vital roles in Ghana’s digital financial ecosystem. Their latest collaboration through the ACH-NRT training reaffirms their shared vision of creating a more inclusive and efficient financial environment for all Ghanaians.
GhIPSS, which operates under the supervision of the Bank of Ghana, continues to spearhead the modernization of Ghana’s payment systems. Through innovations such as e-zwich, Gh-Link, and the ACH platforms, GhIPSS has been instrumental in promoting interoperability and financial inclusion across the country.
The partnership with ADB further strengthens the institution’s digital capacity and aligns with national efforts to advance cashless banking and improve payment system efficiency.
As digital transformation accelerates across Ghana’s financial sector, ADB’s proactive approach positions it as a leader in delivering value-driven, customer-focused banking solutions. By adopting the ACH-NRT platform, ADB is not only enhancing transaction speed but also aligning itself with global banking trends that prioritize security, convenience, and real-time service delivery.
Professor Ahiakpor reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to innovation, stating that ADB will continue to invest in technology and human capital to ensure that customers enjoy world-class banking experiences. “Innovation is not a one-time event—it is a continuous journey,” he said.
“We believe that through collaborations such as this one with GhIPSS, ADB will continue to redefine service delivery and set new benchmarks in the banking industry.”
Professor Ahiakpor
With the ACH-NRT now part of its operational framework, ADB is well on its way to offering customers faster, safer, and smarter payment solutions—cementing its place as one of Ghana’s most innovative and customer-oriented financial institutions.
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