Telecel Ghana has partnered with the Mobile Money Advocacy Group Ghana (MoMAG) to train mobile money agents as part of efforts to improve their capabilities, professionalism and compliance with regulations.The initiative, held under the theme “Amplifying the Impact; Building a Safe, Trusted and Profitable Agent Network,” seeks to strengthen the agent network, which remains a critical part of the mobile money ecosystem.Speaking at the engagement, Samuel Sarpong, Sales and Distribution Director at Telecel Ghana, said agents play an important role in the growth of the company’s telecom and mobile money business.According to him, the training is intended to equip agents with the knowledge and skills required to provide better services to customers.“We are working with the MoMAG of Ghana as a mobile money agent network to collaborate on our various efforts to improve their capability as agents.”He added that the agent network is an important part of the telecom and cash business ecosystem, making continuous capacity building necessary.“One of the best ways is to equip them through this kind of capacity training so that they’ll be better positioned to serve our customers better.”The President of the Mobile Money Advocacy Group Ghana, Edward Ofori Agyemang, said the partnership with Telecel is part of a broader effort to collaborate with electronic money issuers to address challenges confronting mobile money agents.He cited fraud and attacks by armed robbers as some of the major threats facing agents across the country.“We all know in the country how fraud is going on, how armed robbers are killing our agents.”Mr Ofori Agyemang stressed the need for agents to receive continuous training to enable them to operate professionally and protect their businesses.He also highlighted customer relations as an important area requiring attention, particularly for agents who may lack the skills to communicate effectively with customers.“Some of the agents who don’t know how to talk to customers, how to relate to customers, and customers are the people who give us the money.”According to him, the collaboration with Telecel is therefore aimed at ensuring that agents understand how to run their businesses professionally and in accordance with applicable regulations.“We have partnered with Telecel Ghana to train our agents to make sure that the businesses they are doing, they would make sure that they do everything in compliance with regulations.”Top-performing agent welcomes initiativeFor some agents, the training has provided an opportunity to gain new knowledge and better understand Telecel’s mobile money operations.James Ablo, a top-performing Telecel agent, described the programme as beneficial and said the lessons would help him improve his business.“Today’s program is very helpful to me. I’ve learned a lot.”Mr Ablo disclosed that he had previously encountered some challenges with Telecel but said the engagement had given him a new perspective and useful information.“I’m someone who has issues with Telecel, but now that I’ve been here today, it’s my first time.”He said the knowledge gained from the programme would help boost his business, particularly in relation to Telecel’s mobile money services.“I’ve learned something that is going to boost my business, especially in terms of Telecel mobile money issue.”Mr Ablo also expressed his intention to share what he had learnt with people within his community and educate them about the benefits of Telecel’s services.“As I’m going, I hope I’m going to teach people around my area what the benefits in Telecel and so far what Telecel is doing for the country.”The collaboration comes as mobile money agents continue to serve as an important point of access to digital financial services for customers across Ghana.The organisers believe that equipping agents with knowledge in customer service, fraud awareness, regulatory compliance and business management will help strengthen trust within the mobile money ecosystem.The initiative also seeks to ensure that agents can operate more professionally while building sustainable and profitable businesses.For Telecel and MoMAG, the focus is ultimately on developing an agent network that is safe, trusted, professional and better equipped to serve customers.