Building a Local Checkout Experience for Ghana

// Ghana-optimised transaction initialization
var response = await fetch('https://api.paystack.co/transaction/initialize', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    Authorization: 'Bearer ' + process.env.PAYSTACK_SECRET_KEY,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    email: customer.email,
    phone: customer.phone, // e.g., '0241234567' or '+233241234567'
    amount: Math.round(orderAmountGHS * 100), // GHS to pesewas
    currency: 'GHS',
    reference: generateReference(),
    channels: ['mobile_money', 'card', 'bank'], // Mobile money first
    metadata: {
      order_id: order.id,
    },
  }),
});

Mobile money operators in Ghana on Paystack:

• MTN MoMo — 055/056/057/059 numbers
• Vodafone Cash — 020/050 numbers
• AirtelTigo Money — 026/027/056/057 numbers

Paystack automatically identifies the operator from the phone number and routes the payment prompt accordingly.

• Currency display: Show as "GH₵ 100" or "GHS 100" — the cedi symbol GH₵ is familiar to Ghanaian users.
• Mobile money prompt: After a customer initiates mobile money payment, show a waiting state: "Enter your MoMo PIN when prompted on your phone." Approval can take 15-60 seconds.
• Expired prompts: MTN MoMo prompts expire after 90 seconds if not acted upon. Tell customers to approve quickly or restart checkout.
• Weekend transactions: Mobile money works 24/7 in Ghana — no banking hours restriction like some bank transfer products.

This guide is part of the Paystack by country guide.

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