The former Emir of Kano and governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mohammed Sanusi Lamido, has showered praises on Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia for his role in leading Ghana’s digitisation drive.
The renowned cleric, banker and economist, who is in the country at the invitation of the leadership of the Muslim community to participate in a special end-of-year Quran recitation and prayers for sustainable peace in Ghana and the sub-region, called on Bawumia on Wednesday in Accra.
Speaking at the meeting, Sanusi Lamido, who was governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria before ascending the throne as Emir (king) of Kano, praised Dr Bawumia for his good work, including leading Ghana’s digital reforms and payment systems.
“Your Excellency, I have heard so many good things about your work in Ghana,” he told Bawumia.
“Your digital work I am aware of, because I happen to be on the global board of MTN and we have an operating office in Ghana, so we get reports in Johannesburg on what is happening in different countries. So, we do know what is happening in the digital space, fintechs and so on within Ghana,” Sanusi Lamido said.
The revered banker also commended Ghana’s central bank for leading the way in digital payment systems.
He added that Ghana’s success story has been due partly to Dr Bawumia’s enormous experience in banking and digital payment regulations.
“I must say I am jealous because the Bank of Ghana has gotten ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria on fintech and others,” Sanusi Lamido said.
“We all started with banking modules, but I think you quickly realised it was limited and you broke off. But I am happy the Central Bank of Nigeria is on now. The roles are being reversed and we are now copying from Ghana,” he said.
He added: “I’m sure that [Ghana’s digitisation drive] was largely due to your input and experience from central banking and regulation of digital payments.”
The banker/economist is also a revered Islamic cleric with the title Khalifa. He is the spiritual head of the Tijjaniya order in Nigeria.
Source: Asaase Radio
