This comes amid growing public frustration over the fast exhaustion of internet bundles, especially following a recent 15% price hike by telecom providers.

Speaking at the launch of the Ministerial AI Bootcamp on Friday, July 25, sector Minister Samuel Nartey George acknowledged the widespread concerns and confirmed that his office had received multiple complaints from consumers.

He, however, cautioned that no sanctions can be imposed without concrete evidence of wrongdoing.

“When I say I’m working on the complaints, it means we’re actively looking into it. But if the findings don’t show tariff tampering, I cannot impose sanctions—that’s the reality,” Mr. George explained.

He urged the public to remain calm as investigations continue and assured that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring consumer protection and fairness within the telecom sector.

Source: Adomonline.com

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Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni has raised concerns about the 5G network contract awarded to Next Gen Infraco Ltd. by the Communications Ministry.

Mr Awuni alleges the company was established a week before President Akufo-Addo approved the deal.

Given this, he has questioned the company’s track record and doubts its capacity to effectively execute such a significant contract.

President Akufo-Akufo-Addo “granted Executive Approval on 22nd August 2023 for the introduction of 5G through the establishment of a neutral, wireless open access network to promote a vibrant telecom market in Ghana,” he wrote.

“The company that has been handed the deal was formed less than a week before the president’s approval.”

In a post on Facebook, he among other things revealed that the contract was awarded through sole sourcing, without allowing other companies to bid.

He argued that, the lack of competitive bidding raises suspicions about the transparency and fairness of the procurement process.

“The 5G technology, according to industry experts, can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Why is it being handed to one company without an auction?” Manasseh quizzed.

Manasseh’s allegations comes a few days after government announced a partnership with seven industry leaders to develop a new shared infrastructure aimed at delivering affordable 5G mobile broadband services across Ghana.

The seven partners include Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and two telecommunications companies – AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana.

Government said these partners have formed the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC), which has been awarded a 5G license.

NGIC is expected to launch 5G services across Ghana within the next six months, with plans for further expansion into other parts of Africa.

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The seven partners include Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and two telecommunications companies – AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana.

These partners have formed the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC), which has been awarded a 5G license. NGIC is expected to launch 5G services across Ghana within the next six months, with plans for further expansion into other parts of Africa.

NGIC will be the first entity to build a nationwide 4G/5G network, and it will collaborate with telcos to introduce affordable 4G/5G-enabled fixed wireless access (FWA) customer premises equipment (CPE) and smartphones in Ghana this year.

The partnership aims to enhance the lives of Ghanaians by introducing digital services in education, healthcare, and digital payment transactions through peer-to-peer (P2P), peer-to-merchant (P2M), and merchant-to-merchant (M2M) systems. This initiative is expected to reduce the digital divide and promote financial inclusion.

Moreover, the multi-party partnership will support NGIC in the comprehensive deployment of network infrastructure and related services. Communications service providers (CSPs) aim to address both enterprise and consumer markets with enhanced digital services.

To facilitate this, Tech Mahindra will build a Cloud Native Core Network powered by leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) platforms.

NGIC plans to adopt India’s successful model of affordable handsets, digital platforms, and localized content and applications. The objective is to replicate this high-speed mobile data model across Africa, starting with Ghana.

Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said, “The creation of a shared 5G Mobile Broadband Infrastructure is critical for delivering affordable, high-speed data access to the people of Ghana and help achieve our Digital Ghana vision.”

“The creation of NGIC as a neutral, shared platform, accessible to all mobile network operators and tower companies, will help to expand 5G services rapidly across the country. We are inspired by India’s digital infrastructure and low-cost mobile data usage and keen to replicate it in Ghana.”

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The petition submitted on Tuesday is for the World Bank to probe the contract which he claims is fraught with irregularities, insider dealings, conflict of interest and misrepresentation.

The lawmaker also indicated the contract for the project did not go through the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) which he says is a violation.

Taking to Twitter, Mr Ablakwa alleged the $48 million contract awarded to Ascend was used to fraudulently secure a US$49.5m WB-funded eTransform project.

The former Deputy Education Minister has, therefore, asked the World Bank to investigate the project as it is the one funding same.

“This petition is anchored on unimpeachable documents as well as the patriotic and credible accounts of whistleblowers who courageously stand ready to assist the World Bank in the investigation,” it read in parts.

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The exercise is expected to end on July 31, 2022, to get all subscribers get their SIM cards registered.

However, the target is yet to be met as a chunk of Ghanaians either have no Ghana Card; a requirement for the process, or are yet to visit their respective Telcos for the exercise.

But, the sector Minister, Ursula Owusu, speaking on the floor of parliament reiterated that the deadline will not be extended regardless.

It is for this reason that the actress has sent an appeal to the authorities to “tamper justice with mercy” and extend the grace period.

According to her, she has been outside the country for sometime, and she, as well as others in her position, would need more time to re-register their sim cards.

To her, her sim number is paramount for her business and she can’t afford to lose her number.

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