WESTERN UNION

I visited my local branch of The Agricultural Development Bank in the Town of Berekum. On the last Thursday morning in April 2021. After waiting for approximately 45 minutes consequent upon the bank being crowded. I was finally invited to come to the counter window by one of the available male tellers. I presented my check to him, only to have it returned to me because the color of the ink in which I had written the check was red. I took the instrument from him, returned to my apartment and executed a new check, using a blue ink pen. Upon my return to the bank, I didn’t have to wait for too long on my second attempt to cash my check. The bank official invited me to his window and after I presented my check to him he attempted to bring up my account details by manipulating the keys on his computer keyboard. Then he went over to the desk of The Operations Manager and spoke with her. After returning to where I was standing he directed me to go over to her desk. The operations manager was someone with whom I was well acquainted. She informed me, “I’m afraid that you wont be able to cash your check until all of your records are updated. Please bring in your passport so that we can photocopy it. We will also need your Tax Identification Number.” I did as I was told. Fetched my Passport, turned it over to one of her assistants to be photocopied; and then continued to The Ghana Revenue Authority to obtain a Tax Identification Number. When I got there I met a very nice gentleman. Whom advised me that he could only issue me with such a number after I first obtained a National Identification Card for Expatriates. He took me upstairs to speak with the head of his department who advised me to go to Sunyani, The Regional Capital. There was a government agency there that was working on the issuance of such identification cards. I proceeded to the City of Sunyani the very same day. A forty five minute ride by taxi from the Town of Berekum. Eventually, I arrived at the location to which I was directed. A multistoried building behind the regional post office. After waiting in a line for approximately one hour I eventually got into the office and was able to speak with one of the executives. He counselled me that such Identification Cards were no longer available at his office. Accordingly, I would need to travel to Kumasi, The Capital of the Ashanti Region. To The Cal Bank Branch, located in the district of Ahodwo. He further informed me that there was a registration fee of 706.00 GHS for this service. Finally, he gave me a telephone number and a name to call before attempting the journey. I called the number to authenticate the information I had received, and also to confirm the location. All of this running around took two full days. I had two fifty US$ dollar bills in my wallet, that had been sitting there for almost two years. and I cashed them at the local currency exchange just to obtain some spending money. I knew that since I was unable to make any withdrawals from my local bank account, I would need some financial assistance to tide me over for the duration of my crisis. I called my daughter, explained my predicament to her, and she cheerfully loaned me US$200.00. That amount converted to approximately 1144.00 GHS. One of the benefits of living in rural Ghana is that the cost of living is extremely low in this agricultural setting. Considering that some young ladies who work in the local stores in Berekum. Are only paid 200.00 GHS monthly, the amount that I received went a long way. I was able to pay for my return trip to Kumasi twice, and also take care of my regular monthly expenses. I visited The Ghana Commercial Bank to obtain some information about Western Union transmissions. The security guard to whom I spoke assured me that the bank in question was an agent of Western Union. I accepted his word as gospel and went there Monday morning of the following week, to claim the money that my daughter had sent to me. I waited patiently in line for at least one solid hour. Finally, the appropriate teller called me and when I explained my mission, to him. He calmly and quietly told me that Ghana Commercial Bank was no longer an agent of Western Union. I felt that this was simply outrageous. ‘The right hand didn’t even know what the left hand was doing.’ Apparently, they had been a representative of Western Union, previously. But for some reason their services had been terminated. I decided to proceed immediately to my own Bank. At least they had several large and clearly visible signs on display there. Advertising their Western Union Services. I waited patiently. Until I was finally summoned by the teller at The Window bearing The Western Union placard. When I presented my case he told me in distinctly subdued tones, that Western Union Services were no longer available at The Agricultural Development Bank. Whether this seemingly catastrophic development. Was applicable only to the two Berekum branches. Of two of Ghana’s largest commercial banks, I really don’t know. But one thing was abundantly clear. They definitely weren’t proud of their new, but demoted status. In fact they were profoundly ashamed, and for that very reason they kept their humiliation a secret. To their backward way of thinking, it was better to hide the truth, allow their patrons to suffer the inconvenience of initially believing a lie. Instead of erecting a desperately needed sign, declaring to the public, the simple, but nevertheless unpalatable truth. If nothing else, I was able to obtain from him a piece of reliable information. He told me to go to The Fidelity Bank. He was absolutely certain that they were bona fide agents of Western Union.