Ghana’s telecom policies outdated and need review - Minister
Ghana’s Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is vowing a thorough review of the country’s policies on telecommunications regulations and mobile financial services soon because they are outdated.
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She has thus expressed a keen desire to start the review process and wants industry players to contribute inputs.
“It is no secret that Ghana’s telecom policies are outdated and need to be thoroughly reviewed,” she said while on a working tour of network operator, Tigo’s head office on Barnes road, Accra.
Accompanied by her two deputies, George Nenyi Andah and Vincent Sowah Odotei, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful applauded Tigo for remaining a strong competitor in the industry over the past 25 years through continual and timely transformation to the needs of the industry and Ghanaians.
“The gains you have made operationally and financially over the last few years are really impressive and I commend you for that. I have seen the remarkable improvement in your network quality and I want to assure you of my commitment to building the right foundation for this industry to thrive. I am enthused that we share a common agenda on digital and financial inclusion. The ministry is keen on using digital financial services and mobile money to increase uptake and mop up excess liquidity in Ghana,” she said.
The CEO for Tigo Ghana Limited, Roshi Motman who led the entire management team of the company to meet and conduct the ministers round, drew their attention to the challenge of fibre cuts which she said continues to have a negative impact on network availability.
She pointed out that the company suffered between one to three fibre cuts a day (depending on the season) mainly due to civil constructions along fibre routes and called on the Ministry of Communications, Department of Urban Roads, Ghana Highway Authority and other relevant agencies to find a lasting solution.
She also entreated government to consider telecom infrastructure as a basic utility that needs to be protected through policy formulation.
Additionally, Ms. Motman echoed the need for Right of Way privileges secured from government to be enacted fairly without discrimination when it comes to relocation of fibre infrastructure resulting from road constructions.
In response to the challenges, the minister pledged to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to find a lasting solution.
The visiting ministers were given an overview of the business including the evolution of Ghana’s first telecom company, the investment strategy - to modernize network infrastructure, build resilience and transform IT platforms towards virtualization.
