A criminologist from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Jones Opoku-Ware, has raised concerns about the safety of mobile money (MoMo) vendors operating in public spaces.

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He pointed out that the visibility of small-scale MoMo vendors, who often use small containers, umbrellas, and makeshift tables, exposes their transactions to the public, making them vulnerable to criminal activities.

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"Those small containers and umbrellas with chairs and tables expose their transactions to the public. This is a form of banking, though small-scale, so it should be well covered," Dr. Opoku-Ware emphasized. "They can get a shop and, if possible, have security on-site."

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Dr. Opoku-Ware further proposed that telecommunication companies should introduce more stringent security measures for MoMo vendors to ensure safer operations.

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He suggested that telecommunications networks should make it a requirement for MoMo vendors to operate in secured, confined spaces that meet safety standards.

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"The telcos must ensure the vendors can prove they operate in a safe and confined space with adequate security measures in place," he said. "MoMo is creating a lot of jobs and helping people with their transactions, so it should not be done in open spaces that expose vendors to criminals."

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Dr. Opoku-Ware's comments come at a time when mobile money services are rapidly growing in Ghana, providing convenient financial services to people, especially in remote areas. However, concerns over security for vendors and customers have been rising, with reports of theft and fraud increasing in open-air MoMo operations.

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