Minister of Communication, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, stated that the government also intends to monitor the billing systems of the telecom operators in a bid to sanitize the communications sector.

[contextly_sidebar id=”JuV8CoWbEsWwMTMfXYdEJbKr95qVAENy”]Speaking on the Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, the Minister said that the National Communications Authority [NCA], has met with the telcos to find the best way possible to ensure that the space is sanitized.

She said these actions were necessary to ensure that consumers are not shortchanged by the telcos and that mobile money transactions across the country, which involve transfers of thousands of cedis daily, are secure.

“The NCA has met with the Chief Technology Officers and the finance officers of the Telcos to discuss this very issue and they’ve come up with a set of conditions. The NCA is also going to monitor the billing systems of these telcos,” she said.

“We will also be implementing a system to monitor the mobile money transactions as well [for] revenue assurance and security. We don’t want mobile money to be used to commit crime and we don’t want it to be used to finance terrorism or criminal activity. We need to monitor the trends and see how, who, and what it’s being used for.”

Telcos cooperating

There has been a rise in the number of mobile money fraud incidents in recent years leading to several Ghanaians being robbed of their funds.

Last year, an internal inquiry by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) had revealed that in some of the cases employees of telecommunications companies were found to be complicit in the act.

Staff of the telcos were alleged to be accessing the database of mobile money merchants, and changing the registration details of customers in order to withdraw money from their accounts without authorisation.

Reports indicate that, the staff who collude with criminals, sometimes reset the account containing the money to a new owner in the database, giving them access to the funds.

They then acquire new SIM cards and use the pins to withdraw monies from merchants

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated that over the years, not much has been done to sanitize the mobile money space, leaving it exposed for criminals to take advantage of it.

She stated it it was important that the telcos cooperate with the NCA to ensure that the transactions made by their customers remain secure.

“It’s important that we have an independent eye into it, and working with the Telcos I’m sure we’d be able to do that. The telcos all understand that it needs to be done and for certainty of our financial transactions, we need to ensure that this space that we haven’t focused on, isn’t being abused by criminal elements,” she noted.

“It’s in the interest of the telcos to work with the regulator to ensure there is sanity in that space. A few people are being defrauded from that and that’s an area that we need to work on, it all falls under cyber security.”

–

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A statement from the NCA and copied to Citi Business News,  indicated that the merger will result in an entity which will be the second largest mobile network operations in the country.

The merger, which was first announced in March 2017, required the regulator to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the application and the regulatory ecosystem.

To ensure efficient and equitable distribution and access to the spectrum, the merged entities would have to submit a network integration plan to the Authority which will indicate how they intend to relinquish portions of their total spectrum allocation.

This, however, will be done in phases on geographical area basis and over a period not exceeding eighteen (18) months to avoid disruptions on the network.

On the issue of numbers, the merged entity shall retain all the numbering resources held by the merging entities.

The NCA has also requested the merged entity to submit a plan to educate customers about changes and related measures within 30 days from date of merger.

The merger approval is also conditioned with an option for Government participation.

Based on agreements which have been accepted by the merging entities and the payment of relevant fees, a supplementary agreement to the licenses of the merging entities will be signed between the NCA and the merging entities; the day of the signing of the agreement will be the effective date of the merger.

The merged entity will have a 3G Licence valid until 25th January, 2024, while their 2G Licence will be valid until 30th October, 2021.

The NCA wishes to assure all stakeholders, especially consumers, that their various interests will be protected and that the Authority will endeavor to maintain stability within the industry.

–

By: citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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This would enable MNOs to increase data or internet accessibility to folks in unserved and underserved communities across the country.

The deployment of 3G technology would be carried out using 900MHz frequency band, which was originally assigned for the deployment of 2G services in the country.

Speaking at a media conference in Accra, on Thursday, to explain the new initiative, Mr Joe Anokye, the Acting Director-General of the NCA, said the deployment of 3G technology would make it easier for MNOs to expand their data coverage to mobile phone users 15 kilometres away from their base stations with minimum costs.

He said: “Communication is essential for development so ultimately this will go a long way to support government initiatives to bring development to the rural areas.”

He said the NCA would implement this initiative in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications, which was aimed at promoting digital inclusion.

Mr Anokye said with the NCA’s new regulatory decision, the 2G licensed MNOs could now deploy 3G technology, which would enable their clients have access to data or internet.

“The benefits of allowing telcos to deploy UTMS are, particularly, beneficial to consumers. With this, we will be promoting digital inclusion in Ghana and in the process customers in unserved and underserved areas will see the immense benefits, especially as they see improvement with their access to data and data services.

“Additionally, this will lead to a maximization of spectrum use, it will lead to enhanced consistent 3G user experience and reduce 3G coverage black spots,” he explained.

Mr Anokye noted that the technology would also introduce choice and competition for the customer, while increasing data penetration, improved spectral efficiency and improve handover problems.

“So you can tell that at the heart of this decision is the consumer and we will monitor the UTMS deployment to ensure that all these benefits that have been penned down for the ultimate benefit of the consumer come to fruition, “he emphasised.

Mr Anokye said MNOs were not required to apply for new licences, but only submit application for authorisation, adding that, the Authority had waived the application and authorisation fees or charges.

He said the authorisation would be for the unexpired term of the applicant’s 2G licence.

The National Communications Authority was established by an Act of Parliament, Act 524 in 1996, which has been repealed and replaced by the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act769).

The Authority is the statutory body mandated to license and to regulate electronic communication activities and services in Ghana.

–

Source: GNA

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The group holds as a concern that “almost all the Telecos in Ghana are deficient or ineffective in supplying sufficient and adequate information about their services and charges especially to their clients or customers.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”WjgfCciBZqCjzvphvJjUcC0aA894kY60″]“For information about their products and services, the feedback of our survey showed that, customers receive information through the text messaging system and other advertising forms,” a statement from the group noted.

As an example, the group cites the fact that customers are charged for every services they have subscribed to, however not all customers would have subscribed to most of the service products if they had adequate and sufficient information about the service products.

Thus, people suffer charges on “needless services rendered especially our innocent illiterate nationals,” the group contended, whilst noting that “it is also clear that, even some of the educated ones fall into the ilk of persons who unknowingly subscribe to service products they know nothing or little about and yet they pay periodic charges on subscription.”

Are Telcos increasing charges?

Another cause for concern, according to the group, is that Ghanaians never hear news of about increases or decreases in the service charges of the Telecos.

“We do not think that, over the years they have not increased or perhaps decreased charges on the services they are rendering to the good people of this country. We are yet to be convinced that, there has not been a positive or negative shift in their charges but Ghanaian are yet to know,” the Public Interest Advocacy Group said.

“We reckon that, regulation of the business conduct of the Telecos is legitimately vested in the hands of the National Communications Authority (NCA) and so Ghanaians are interested in more than you (NCA) would have been doing now by ensuring stiffer, sterner and customer-friendly relationship between the Telecos and users of their service products and for that matter the Ghanaian people.”

Thus the group called on all “stakeholders to make possible, a meaningful and helpful education of Ghanaians on the products of all the Telecommunication Companies operating in Ghana.”

Find below the full statement

A STATEMENT ON SERVICES & CHARGES OF TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES IN GHANA

The PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCAY GROUP is Civil Society Organisation based in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital of Ghana. We play advocacy on universal matters bordering the general interest of the Ghanaian citizenry especially on economic and social life of the people and other significant subjects of life once they have a cast on their wellbeing with a humanist approach. As an advocacy team, we have taken notice of certain deficiencies in the services and charges of our Telecommunication Companies (Telecos) in Ghana and wish to make a statement that has the propensity of causing a positive shift to the benefit of the people of Ghana.

We have noticed that, almost all the Telecos in Ghana are deficient or ineffective in supplying sufficient and adequate information about their services and charges especially to their clients/customers. For information about their products and services, the feedback of our survey showed that, customers receive information through the text messaging system and other advertising forms. Customers are charged for every service or product they have subscribed to, however not all customers would have subscribed to most of the service products if they had adequate and sufficient information about the service products. People suffer charges on needless services rendered especially our innocent illiterate nationals. It is also clear that, even some of the educated ones fall into the ilk of persons who unknowingly subscribe to service products they know nothing or little about and yet they pay periodic charges on subscription.

Aside, on periodic basis, we hear announcement about increases or even decreases in prices of petroleum products, increases in electricity and water tariffs, inflation and all other economic and social products but, we are yet to hear information about increases or decreases in the service charges of the Telecos. We do not think that, over the years they have not increased or perhaps decreased charges on the services they are rendering to the good people of this country. We are yet to be convinced that, there has not been a positive or negative shift in their charges but Ghanaian are yet to know. We reckon that, regulation of the business conduct of the Telecos is legitimately vested in the hands of the National Communications Authority (NCA) and so Ghanaians are interested in more than you (NCA) would have been doing now by ensuring stiffer, sterner and customer-friendly relationship between the Telecos and users of their service products and for that matter the Ghanaian people. We appreciate that, Ghana is a democratic State and so in any attempt to serve the good interest of her citizens, we do not welcome a militant or deceptive approach in assigning solutions to the concerns raised. Considering the good works and professionalism demonstrated by the NCA so far, we do not have doubts in our minds that, they can do more to serving the best interest of Ghanaians.

The Ghanaian consumers of products of the Telecos are interested in self-explained information in adequate and sufficient form especially about the charges both intra-network and inter-network. This will help them to make prudent economic decisions especially that, communication is one area of life where people invariably and inevitably spend huge portion of their income on.

It is possible the Telecos have overly assumed that they have sent out enough information and for that matter education about their products but our survey can confirm that, the information has not aided the education of the customers about their existing and even potential products. Perhaps, the Telecos will have to adopt a strategy that uses a broader medium with a greater listenership to educate the Ghanaian people more on their products.

We hereby call on all stakeholders to make possible, a meaningful and helpful education of Ghanaians on the products of all the Telecommunication Companies operating in Ghana.

We have specific information in varied and various forms about certain operational lapses on every Telecommunication Company operating in Ghana and we shall use appropriate formal channels to ensuring that they are fully addressed in the best interest of ALL GHANAIANS.

We appreciate the cooperation of all stakeholders as always.

Thank you.

1. A. Abdul-Rahaman

(EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The BoG is said to have contracted a private company to act as the switch for across-network mobile money transactions, with additional cost implications for both consumers and the telcos.

The evolution of mobile money in the country has seen the industry grow into a multibillion-cedi one, with operators now beginning to engineer innovations that will gradually usher in full-scale interoperability.

But before the telcos could fully roll-out interoperability – that is mobile money from one network to the other –  the Bank of Ghana, which regulates the mobile money operations of the telcos, announced that it had secured the services of a private switch that will handle the interoperability.

According to a letter written by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications to the central bank, sighted by the B&FT, “the current pricing model being proposed, especially with respect to the revenue share, is not in alignment with international standards or benchmarks.

Not only are the fees being charged by the switch too high but it also has the potential to undermine the success of the project because operators are likely to make losses on interoperable transactions.”

The letter, dated January 9, 2017, apparently follows a meeting between the central bank, mobile money operators and the banks, regarding the implementation of the switch.

Apart from raising issues about the cost of the project, the Chamber said the central bank’s project did not have clearly defined scope regarding exactly what the switch would do.

“It was evident from the meeting that the project scope was still not clear even though stakeholders are being pushed towards implementation. Our understanding from the start was that the project was to facilitate interoperability of payment systems in Ghana, including Banks and GHIPSS, but the current engagements have been restricted to electronic money issuers (EMIS) [mobile money operators] only without clear understanding of when and how the others, especially the banks, will participate.

We are reliably informed that the banks, for instance, have still not committed to the project, raising a lot of doubts about their participation,” the letter, signed by the CEO of the chamber, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, said, demanding an urgent meeting with the central bank.

According to data from the central bank, from January to September last year, there were more than 368 million individual mobile money transactions, which amounted to over GH¢51.4 billion in value of transactions – a more than 115 percent year-on-year increase.

Industry watchers believe that despite its exponential growth over the years, the next frontier of mobile money is interoperability. According to GSMA, a globally acclaimed thought leader in telecommunications policies, interoperability must not be mandated, as the central bank is seeking to do.

Rather, GSMA said, “the role of the policymaker is to facilitate dialogue between providers, ensuring that interoperability brings value to the customer, makes commercial sense, is set up at the right time, and regulatory risks are identified and mitigated. Interoperability should not be mandated.”

As per international standards, the telecom operators in the country have already introduced cross-network mobile money transactions, with industry players arguing that they are in a position to implement interoperability on their own and do not need a costly third party that will add on to cost of transactions.

Other emerging issues

The Telecoms Chamber’s letter also suggests that the switch, apart from its primary goal, will be rendering other services such as monitoring of mobile money transactions conducted within same networks (on-net).

“This has come as a big surprise to EMIs since it [on-net transactions monitoring] does not form part of interoperability. This, in our view, is out of scope and will rather introduce additional cost from the switch provider which will unnecessarily increase the cost of the service to the customer without adding any value,” the CEO of the Chamber said in the letter.

The biggest risk to the industry, Mr. Sakyi-Addo said, is that: “the switch becomes a Single point of Failure (SPOF), meaning that if the switch goes down, the whole industry is shut out. This poses a huge risk to the industry.”

The telcos believe that monitoring of on-net transactions can still be achieved by providing view access to Bank of Ghana (Payment Systems), to access relevant data or reports from the platform backed by the monthly submissions already being provided by mobile money operators  to the bank.

–

Source: B&FT

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The initiative, aimed at empowering SMEs to use digital services to boost their businesses, will be marked by lots of highlights including  an SME Africa Summit and Awards event to interact, reward and show appreciation to customers.

Vodafone Business Solutions intends to use the summit platform to open the discussion on how these businesses can leverage the power of technology and become a Ready Business – equipped with the right solutions to take on the world.

SMEs play a very crucial role in Ghana’s economy, demonstrating the capacity to contribute enormously to the general economic growth. With the world at an advanced stage of digitisation, VBS wants to be at the forefront of championing the transformative outcomes that these new phenomena provide for Ghanaian businesses.

Commenting, Angela Mensah-Poku, Director of Vodafone Business Solutions at Vodafone Ghana said:

“There is no doubt SMEs are playing a huge role in the economic uplift of Ghana. Over the years, our  products including ‘Ready Business’, ‘Ready Office’ and ‘Red Business’ have contributed tremendously to their success. We have become very important to their lives and we want to entrench this relationship further this year and the subsequent years to come. I am looking forward to the month and how we can excite our customers.”

–

Source: Vodafone Ghana

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The former President on Tuesday said the “bad image” of the Mahama-led administration could prevent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party from winning in 2016.

Jerry John Rawlings added that the President had not shown enough commitment to the fight against corruption.

Some in government and party officials have criticizef his comments but Dr. Aggrey Darko says the NDC need to take the former president’s words seriously.

“He is very much aware of the developments in the country at the moment; there are some economic challenges which call for rethinking, revitalisation and reinvigouration,” he told Citi News

“If he is calling on all of us to sit up and galvanise the people, it is a call in the right direction.

“These recommendations and suggestions are based on the desire to see the nation develop, so why not?,” he added.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“Otabil has never requested, never accepted and has never ever had a diplomatic passport at any time in his life,’’ spokesperson, Albert Ocran noted.

Dr Mensa Otabil has “never” had nor “requested” a diplomatic passport from the state,  Rev Ocran added.

Rev Ocran was reacting to a claim by a government communicator, Sam George that the motivational Speaker’s recent likening of Ghana to a sinking ship, was borne out of sour grapes, after President John Mills (late) withdrew his [Otabil’s] diplomatic passport.

Sam George said on private FM station, Asempa on Friday that Pastor Otabil is upset at the governing party for denying him the privilege of owning a diplomatic passport, thus his description of Ghana as a sinking ship.

But Rev Ocran in a response on Accra based Joy FM on Saturday said his boss bears no such grudges because he has never relished the privilege of owning a diplomatic passport and will never.

The Founder and General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church on Thursday said Ghana needed a new leadership response to solve the country’s economic problems.

He also pointed out there was the possibility of Ghana’s currency, Cedi falling to, as low as Ghc10 to $1.

Meanwhile private legal practitioner, Yaw Oppong  also described on Citi FM‘s The Big Issue programme as “unfortunate” government’s attacks on the respected and renowned preacher.

By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia says the directive will help the party to effectively monitor the registration exercise which is expected to end on Wednesday.

The Electoral Commission (EC) last Monday began a nationwide process  across 6000 centres, to register Ghanaians who turned 18 after the 2012 general election and adults who could not register during the previous registration exercise.

Speaking to Citi News,  Mr Nketia said the directive has become necessary following the misconduct of some party officials at some registration centres.

“People have reacted in different ways on the field so they need to be directed and that is why we have issued the directive,”he said.

He bemoaned the decision by some party officials to place priority on the internal elections.

“In a few places, people[constituency executives] have placed priority on internal election and when you go, the monitoring has suffered quite a blow”

Mr. Nketia believes the new directive will also offer a basis for party members to challenge the EC if it comes up with figures that will conflict that of the NDC after the registration exercise.

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The group said many were leaving because of the president’s recent reshuffle exercise and new appointments.

The group says the  removal of  Nayon Bilijo as the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is causing tension in the Northern Region.

He was replaced with Madam Sherry Ayitey.

Speaking to Citi News, the President of the Concerned Youth of Kokomba, Solomon Tamanja described the recent reshuffle as disastrous.

Mr. Tamanja said the President’s decision has caused conflict among party members in the North.

He described the removal of the Minister as unfair.

Mr. Tamanja further stated that the President had failed to fulfill his promises.

“The President is gradually driving us from the NDC. Definitely people will have to leave. Whoever is at the helm of affairs cannot hold people to come by force. It is what you do for people that will show whether they will remain or leave.”

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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