Feb 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Education in the Kwadaso Constituency in the Ashanti Region has received a boost with the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, using his share of a number of funds to provide 18 new classrooms for a number of schools within the last two years.
The cost of the projects, including eight renovated classrooms in 14 communities, is GH¢300,000.00. The funds include his share of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), Common Fund, HIPC special allocation from the Ministry of Education and funds raised from the private sector.
Dr Akoto told the Daily Graphic that he embarked on the projects, since he realised that low quality of education in basic schools in the constituency was due in part to large class sizes and a shift system arising from inadequate number of classrooms.
According to him, some classes in the constituency have over 100 pupils per class thereby forcing many schools to resort to the shift system.
The MP said he was concerned about the human resource development of the area, which is seen in the institution of a scholarship scheme which has benefited 34 students at various levels of education.
A total of GH¢11,789 had been spent on these awards from the MP’s share of the HIPC Funds.
Dr Akoto added that to empower women in the constituency, he had also instituted a scholarship scheme for young people to train in various vocations at the Methodist Women’s Training Centre at Kwadaso, which offers a three-year training in hairdressing, dressmaking, food and catering, batik and tie-dye, among other vocations.
So far, 33 young women has been offered a total of GH¢21,912.50 to pursue various vocations at the training centre.
On health, Dr Akoto stated that he was constructing two semi-detached bungalows to accommodate medical doctors of the only health facility in the constituency at Apatrapa at a cost of GH¢90,000.00 with funds from the National Health Insurance Fund.
In addition, to cater for the health needs of the deprived, the aged and the disabled in the constituency, the MP said he had paid the NHIS premiums for more than 120 people.
Touching on environment and sanitation, Dr Akoto said he had launched a major initiative involving the planting of a targeted 10,000 teak seedlings each year on school compounds in the constituency.
He explained that schoolchildren were made to adopt and care for two to three seedlings each time of planting (May/June) until the seedlings were rooted.
Dr Akoto said the current installation of street lights by the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority was an opportunity for the area to be lit up and he gave an assurance that he would make the necessary contacts to ensure that the constituency got it share of the programme.
The MP called for the tarring of roads in the area, particularly the town roads of Kwadaso, Tanoso, Asuoyeboah and all new sites of the constituency.
He said even though through his incessant appeals and lobbying, the road at Nsema had now been tarred and gave an assurance he would continue to work around the clock for the tarring of roads at Kessben and Apire.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
GES urged to take over abandoned projects
Feb, 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Parliamentary Select Committee on Education has recommended to the Ministry of Education to take over abandoned or slow-pace projects which have been initiated by schools or communities, instead of starting new projects.
The committee said such a measure would be cost-effective at this crucial moment when expanded facilities were needed to accommodate students and curb overcrowding.
This was contained in a report of the committee after visiting some selected schools in the Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Volta regions last year.
The contents of the report was discussed at a stakeholders forum attended by regional ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and the two deputy ministers of the Ministry of Education, Mr J.S. Annan and Mrs Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, in Accra on Wednesday.
The committee’s recommendation were made as a result of some observations it made during the visit.
According to the report, members of the committee observed delays in the execution of projects, poor maintenance culture, over-enrolment of students, shoddy execution of projects, abandoned projects, lack of proper record and keeping of projects.
Other observations made were non-enforcement of contract agreements, delays in honouring approved certificates, poor collaboration between stakeholders of projects at all levels, lack of regular monitoring and execution of projects and over-enrolment of students resulting in pressure on use of the facilities provided, among others.
The committee, therefore, recommended to the sector ministry and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to prioritise projects and ensure completion of ongoing ones before the award of new ones to ensure timely completion and avoid overrun of projects.
It also called for the necessary transitional arrangements between incoming and outgoing governments to avoid instances where projects were halted for one reason or another when a new government takes over power.
“The committee believes that quality education is key to poverty reduction and national development and for that matter it should not be subjected to any form of political vendetta,” it said.
It also suggested that special funds should be set aside for the periodic maintenance of existing facilities in order to prolong their lifespan while heads of institutions should also be encouraged to undertake regular maintenance.
The reports said against the backdrop of the AESL consultants’ inability to live up to expectation since its establishment, “the committee is of the view that the current AESL role as supervisory body should be changed to that of a regulatory agent in the construction industry” so that it could regulate activities of private consultants.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Mathias A. Puozaa, who signed the report, expressed the hope that the Ministry of Education and the GETFund would take the necessary steps to address the identified bottlenecks to ensure value for money for projects being undertaken by the government in the various educational institutions.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Parliamentary Select Committee on Education has recommended to the Ministry of Education to take over abandoned or slow-pace projects which have been initiated by schools or communities, instead of starting new projects.
The committee said such a measure would be cost-effective at this crucial moment when expanded facilities were needed to accommodate students and curb overcrowding.
This was contained in a report of the committee after visiting some selected schools in the Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Volta regions last year.
The contents of the report was discussed at a stakeholders forum attended by regional ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and the two deputy ministers of the Ministry of Education, Mr J.S. Annan and Mrs Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, in Accra on Wednesday.
The committee’s recommendation were made as a result of some observations it made during the visit.
According to the report, members of the committee observed delays in the execution of projects, poor maintenance culture, over-enrolment of students, shoddy execution of projects, abandoned projects, lack of proper record and keeping of projects.
Other observations made were non-enforcement of contract agreements, delays in honouring approved certificates, poor collaboration between stakeholders of projects at all levels, lack of regular monitoring and execution of projects and over-enrolment of students resulting in pressure on use of the facilities provided, among others.
The committee, therefore, recommended to the sector ministry and the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to prioritise projects and ensure completion of ongoing ones before the award of new ones to ensure timely completion and avoid overrun of projects.
It also called for the necessary transitional arrangements between incoming and outgoing governments to avoid instances where projects were halted for one reason or another when a new government takes over power.
“The committee believes that quality education is key to poverty reduction and national development and for that matter it should not be subjected to any form of political vendetta,” it said.
It also suggested that special funds should be set aside for the periodic maintenance of existing facilities in order to prolong their lifespan while heads of institutions should also be encouraged to undertake regular maintenance.
The reports said against the backdrop of the AESL consultants’ inability to live up to expectation since its establishment, “the committee is of the view that the current AESL role as supervisory body should be changed to that of a regulatory agent in the construction industry” so that it could regulate activities of private consultants.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Mathias A. Puozaa, who signed the report, expressed the hope that the Ministry of Education and the GETFund would take the necessary steps to address the identified bottlenecks to ensure value for money for projects being undertaken by the government in the various educational institutions.
Parliament approves three ministerial nominees
Feb 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT has approved the nominations of three ministerial nominees who have been vetted by the Appointments Committee.
The nominees are Mr Clement Kofi Humado, Minister designate for Youth and Sports; Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi, Eastern Regional Minister designate and Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister designate.
The Appointments Committee of Parliament, after vetting the nominees, unanimously recommended all of them to the House for approval.
Commenting on the nomination of Mr Homado as the Minister of Youth and Employment, the Ranking Member on Youth and Sports, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, urged him to take note that he was the fourth person to be appointed by President Mills to take charge of the ministry.
He, therefore, urged him to be extra vigilant in order to remain in that position for the rest of the two years of the Mills’ administration.
He also drew Mr Humado’s attention to the ban that had been imposed on Ghana by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and advised him to work around the clock to ensure that the ban was lifted soon.
On the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), Mr Asiamah reminded the minister designate of allegations of sexual harassment and the alleged sale of forms by some officials to some prospective beneficiaries.
For his part, the MP for Manhyia, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, commended the three nominees for their composure and demeanour during the vetting exercise and expressed the hope that they would carry such positive attributes to their respective assigned areas.
When he caught the eye of the Speaker, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, also complained about the huge amount of money paid to foreign coaches, who abandon the team soon after achieving laurels.
He suggested that the country should poach up-and-coming coaches instead of paying so much for coaches purporting to have achieved a lot in international football.
The Member of Parliament for Shai/Osudoku, Mr David Tettey-Assumeng, expressed the hope that the three ministers would achieve results in their respective areas.
He asked the minister designate for Youth and Sports to take proper care of the National Youth Council, which he said was using obsolete machines such as typewriters in this era of computer.
While urging Mr Humado to be extra cautious in his dealings at his ministry, he complained about too much partisanship and urged him not to create antagonism.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT has approved the nominations of three ministerial nominees who have been vetted by the Appointments Committee.
The nominees are Mr Clement Kofi Humado, Minister designate for Youth and Sports; Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi, Eastern Regional Minister designate and Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister designate.
The Appointments Committee of Parliament, after vetting the nominees, unanimously recommended all of them to the House for approval.
Commenting on the nomination of Mr Homado as the Minister of Youth and Employment, the Ranking Member on Youth and Sports, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, urged him to take note that he was the fourth person to be appointed by President Mills to take charge of the ministry.
He, therefore, urged him to be extra vigilant in order to remain in that position for the rest of the two years of the Mills’ administration.
He also drew Mr Humado’s attention to the ban that had been imposed on Ghana by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and advised him to work around the clock to ensure that the ban was lifted soon.
On the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP), Mr Asiamah reminded the minister designate of allegations of sexual harassment and the alleged sale of forms by some officials to some prospective beneficiaries.
For his part, the MP for Manhyia, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, commended the three nominees for their composure and demeanour during the vetting exercise and expressed the hope that they would carry such positive attributes to their respective assigned areas.
When he caught the eye of the Speaker, the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, also complained about the huge amount of money paid to foreign coaches, who abandon the team soon after achieving laurels.
He suggested that the country should poach up-and-coming coaches instead of paying so much for coaches purporting to have achieved a lot in international football.
The Member of Parliament for Shai/Osudoku, Mr David Tettey-Assumeng, expressed the hope that the three ministers would achieve results in their respective areas.
He asked the minister designate for Youth and Sports to take proper care of the National Youth Council, which he said was using obsolete machines such as typewriters in this era of computer.
While urging Mr Humado to be extra cautious in his dealings at his ministry, he complained about too much partisanship and urged him not to create antagonism.
Par 215m dollar lon
Feb 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday approved a $215 million development financing agreement between the government and the International Development Association (IDA) for the seventh Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC-7).
The credit is to support government’s efforts at enhancing budgetary discipline and tackling long-standing public sector and energy issues, protecting the poor and preparing for the oil era.
It is designed to bring the fiscal deficit of GDP ratios to sustainable levels in 2011.
The Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) and the Ghana Aid Policy and Strategy for the period 2011-2015 reiterate the need for continued Official Development Assistance (ODA) and budget support.
According to the report of the Finance Committee of Parliament, signed by its Chairman, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, since the flow of oil revenue could prompt the nation’s development partners to reduce their ODA support to Ghana, the government was of the view that continued support would be needed in the first few years of oil production to provide additional funds to supplement oil and other revenues.
A Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Seth Tekpeh, moved the motion for the approval of the loan and he was seconded by Mr Avedzi.
The committee, in its report, observed that the entire credit would be withdrawn in a single tranche and that all tranche release conditions had been met by the government.
It added that the PRSC-7 facility would contribute to increased productivity, food security, accelerated economic growth and reduction in poverty.
In a related development, the Japanese government has made available for immediate disbursement an equivalent of $4.1 million to support Ghana’s budget for the 2011 financial year, reports Samuel Doe Ablordeppey.
All documentary and legal arrangements have been concluded and Ghana only needs to provide bank account details for the disbursing agency, the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), for the funds to be transferred in about a month’s time.
The grant is part of a Multi-Donor Budgetary Support (MDBS), a harmonised framework by which 11 of the country’s development partners contribute varying amounts of grants and concessionary credit to finance Ghana’s strategic objectives and priorities set out in the medium-term development plan, the GSGDA 2011-2013.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, who signed the grant on behalf of Ghana, said the assistance demonstrated the solidarity and sustained support of the government and people of Japan towards the realisation of Ghana’s vision of attaining a better Ghana.
“This is yet another manifestation of the cordial bilateral relations that happily exist between the governments and the peoples of Ghana and Japan,” he said.
He announced that discussions were underway for Japan to provide another $2.4 million to support Ghana’s health sector programme for this year, stressing that that amply showed how committed Japan was to the progress and prosperity of Ghana.
The Foreign Minister recalled that last year Japan supported Ghana with $31.2 million and thanked the people of Japan for their continued generosity and assistance.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Keiichi Katakami, who initialled the grant agreement on behalf of his country, said the facility would go to support the execution of Ghana’s medium-term development blueprint which spans 2011 to 2013.
Japan joined the MDBS framework in 2008 and this grant marks its fourth for the country after Ghana reached the completion point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
“I strongly believe that Japan’s contribution to the MDBS will assist the government of Ghana to accelerate its implementation of the national development agenda, which includes the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in the year of action,” Mr Katakami stated.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
PARLIAMENT yesterday approved a $215 million development financing agreement between the government and the International Development Association (IDA) for the seventh Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC-7).
The credit is to support government’s efforts at enhancing budgetary discipline and tackling long-standing public sector and energy issues, protecting the poor and preparing for the oil era.
It is designed to bring the fiscal deficit of GDP ratios to sustainable levels in 2011.
The Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) and the Ghana Aid Policy and Strategy for the period 2011-2015 reiterate the need for continued Official Development Assistance (ODA) and budget support.
According to the report of the Finance Committee of Parliament, signed by its Chairman, Mr James Klutse Avedzi, since the flow of oil revenue could prompt the nation’s development partners to reduce their ODA support to Ghana, the government was of the view that continued support would be needed in the first few years of oil production to provide additional funds to supplement oil and other revenues.
A Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Seth Tekpeh, moved the motion for the approval of the loan and he was seconded by Mr Avedzi.
The committee, in its report, observed that the entire credit would be withdrawn in a single tranche and that all tranche release conditions had been met by the government.
It added that the PRSC-7 facility would contribute to increased productivity, food security, accelerated economic growth and reduction in poverty.
In a related development, the Japanese government has made available for immediate disbursement an equivalent of $4.1 million to support Ghana’s budget for the 2011 financial year, reports Samuel Doe Ablordeppey.
All documentary and legal arrangements have been concluded and Ghana only needs to provide bank account details for the disbursing agency, the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), for the funds to be transferred in about a month’s time.
The grant is part of a Multi-Donor Budgetary Support (MDBS), a harmonised framework by which 11 of the country’s development partners contribute varying amounts of grants and concessionary credit to finance Ghana’s strategic objectives and priorities set out in the medium-term development plan, the GSGDA 2011-2013.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, who signed the grant on behalf of Ghana, said the assistance demonstrated the solidarity and sustained support of the government and people of Japan towards the realisation of Ghana’s vision of attaining a better Ghana.
“This is yet another manifestation of the cordial bilateral relations that happily exist between the governments and the peoples of Ghana and Japan,” he said.
He announced that discussions were underway for Japan to provide another $2.4 million to support Ghana’s health sector programme for this year, stressing that that amply showed how committed Japan was to the progress and prosperity of Ghana.
The Foreign Minister recalled that last year Japan supported Ghana with $31.2 million and thanked the people of Japan for their continued generosity and assistance.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Keiichi Katakami, who initialled the grant agreement on behalf of his country, said the facility would go to support the execution of Ghana’s medium-term development blueprint which spans 2011 to 2013.
Japan joined the MDBS framework in 2008 and this grant marks its fourth for the country after Ghana reached the completion point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
“I strongly believe that Japan’s contribution to the MDBS will assist the government of Ghana to accelerate its implementation of the national development agenda, which includes the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in the year of action,” Mr Katakami stated.
Jewel
Feb 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A 40-year-old staff member of the Parliamentary Service, Mr Jewel Joseph Annan, has announced that he will contest the forthcoming NPP primaries in the Gomoa East Constituency.
He was a unit committee member, assembly member and the district chief executive of the Gomoa East District Assembly during the second term of the Kufuor administration.
That, according to him, had enabled him to gain more experience to lead the NPP to wrest the Gomoa East seat from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2012 general election.
Apart from these credentials, Mr Annan was the chairman of the Ojobi/Fetteh Area Council in 2007.
“I am well positioned to articulate and champion the aspirations of the people”, he told the Daily Graphic.
He said the 2008 election was the first time that the Danquah-Busia tradition had lost power and attributed the loss to a number of factors including the unpopular candidate the NPP fielded for the contest.
Mr Annan said he had not disappointed the people in all the positions he had held in the Gomoa East area and appealed to the NPP delegates in the constituency to give him their mandate, He also promised to win all floating votes.
The ex-DCE is a product of the Institute of Professional Studies, University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast.
He holds a Master’s degree and post-graduate certificates from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Mr Annan said he had short-term, medium-term and long-term vision for the Gomoa District.
He expressed the hope that he would be able to propose over 149 private member bills on a wide range of issues including sandwinning, sustainable fishing practices, education, health, political parties reorganisation, salt-winning, farming, trading, industrial democracy and human resource development, should he eventually win the seat.
As a staff member of the Parliamentary Service, Mr Annan has worked with 14 parliamentary committees since 1996.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
A 40-year-old staff member of the Parliamentary Service, Mr Jewel Joseph Annan, has announced that he will contest the forthcoming NPP primaries in the Gomoa East Constituency.
He was a unit committee member, assembly member and the district chief executive of the Gomoa East District Assembly during the second term of the Kufuor administration.
That, according to him, had enabled him to gain more experience to lead the NPP to wrest the Gomoa East seat from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2012 general election.
Apart from these credentials, Mr Annan was the chairman of the Ojobi/Fetteh Area Council in 2007.
“I am well positioned to articulate and champion the aspirations of the people”, he told the Daily Graphic.
He said the 2008 election was the first time that the Danquah-Busia tradition had lost power and attributed the loss to a number of factors including the unpopular candidate the NPP fielded for the contest.
Mr Annan said he had not disappointed the people in all the positions he had held in the Gomoa East area and appealed to the NPP delegates in the constituency to give him their mandate, He also promised to win all floating votes.
The ex-DCE is a product of the Institute of Professional Studies, University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast.
He holds a Master’s degree and post-graduate certificates from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Mr Annan said he had short-term, medium-term and long-term vision for the Gomoa District.
He expressed the hope that he would be able to propose over 149 private member bills on a wide range of issues including sandwinning, sustainable fishing practices, education, health, political parties reorganisation, salt-winning, farming, trading, industrial democracy and human resource development, should he eventually win the seat.
As a staff member of the Parliamentary Service, Mr Annan has worked with 14 parliamentary committees since 1996.
Reporter urged to be abreast with parliamentary rules
Feb 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Ransford Tetteh has charged journalists covering Parliament to be abreast with rules and procedures in the House.
He said since parliamentary reporting was a specialised field, journalists who covered the House would be able to educate and inform the people only when they themselves made efforts to have the rules and procedures governing the operations of the House on the tips of their fingers.
Mr Tetteh was addressing a workshop organised by Parliament for selected members of the Parliamentary Press Corps at Dodowa under the theme “Effective media coverage for sustainable parliamentary democracy”.
The two-day workshop was used to discuss and fine-tune a guideline which had been developed to assist journalists covering Parliament in their reportage.
Mr Tetteh also called on editors of the various media houses to refrain from frequently changing their parliamentary reporters since keeping them in the House for a longer period would improve their output.
The Director of Public Affair of Parliament, Mr Jones Kugblenu said Parliament considered the Press Corps as a critical component and would work hard to improve on the skills of members of the corps.
He commended executives of the corps for putting in mechanisms to ensure a vibrant group of parliamentary reporters.
In his welcoming address, the Dean of the Parliamentary Press, Mr Andrew Edwin Arthur stated that parliamentary reporting was a specialised field requiring professionally trained journalists who would bring professionalism to bear on their work.
“It will surprise you to know that some of the current crop of members of the press corps have backgrounds like secretarial, stenography, teaching, while some are trained pastors with others not being able to disclose how they trained to become journalists,” he said.
He said that and other factors had contributed in no small measure to the wrong reportage that had in most cases dragged the good name of the press corps in the mud.
Mr Arthur said it was therefore a welcome news that Parliament and the press corps were both looking for ways of improving the quality and standards of parliamentary reporting.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Ransford Tetteh has charged journalists covering Parliament to be abreast with rules and procedures in the House.
He said since parliamentary reporting was a specialised field, journalists who covered the House would be able to educate and inform the people only when they themselves made efforts to have the rules and procedures governing the operations of the House on the tips of their fingers.
Mr Tetteh was addressing a workshop organised by Parliament for selected members of the Parliamentary Press Corps at Dodowa under the theme “Effective media coverage for sustainable parliamentary democracy”.
The two-day workshop was used to discuss and fine-tune a guideline which had been developed to assist journalists covering Parliament in their reportage.
Mr Tetteh also called on editors of the various media houses to refrain from frequently changing their parliamentary reporters since keeping them in the House for a longer period would improve their output.
The Director of Public Affair of Parliament, Mr Jones Kugblenu said Parliament considered the Press Corps as a critical component and would work hard to improve on the skills of members of the corps.
He commended executives of the corps for putting in mechanisms to ensure a vibrant group of parliamentary reporters.
In his welcoming address, the Dean of the Parliamentary Press, Mr Andrew Edwin Arthur stated that parliamentary reporting was a specialised field requiring professionally trained journalists who would bring professionalism to bear on their work.
“It will surprise you to know that some of the current crop of members of the press corps have backgrounds like secretarial, stenography, teaching, while some are trained pastors with others not being able to disclose how they trained to become journalists,” he said.
He said that and other factors had contributed in no small measure to the wrong reportage that had in most cases dragged the good name of the press corps in the mud.
Mr Arthur said it was therefore a welcome news that Parliament and the press corps were both looking for ways of improving the quality and standards of parliamentary reporting.
Airtel still records fraudlent numbers-Haruna
Feb, 2011
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
DESPITE the success in the National Communication Authority’s (NCA) effort to reduce fraud on the networks of telecommunication companies operating in the country, Airtel, formerly called Zain, is still recording fraudulent numbers on its network, the Minister of Communications, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, has revealed.
According to him, in the first 20 days of the year alone, 3,469 fraud numbers constituting 95 per cent of total fraud numbers had already been terminated on the Airtel’s network.
The minister made these revelations when he appeared before Parliament yesterday to answer a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo-Ano North, Mr Richard Akuoko Adiyia.
The MP wanted to know the status of the installation of the Intelligence Signalling Management System on the International gateways of the telecom operators in the country.
Between June, last year and January 20, this year a total of 64,855 fraud numbers were detected on the networks of the five telecom operators, namely Vodafone, Tigo, MTN, Airtel and Expresso (Kasapa) with Airtel alone recording a total of 32,294.
Mr Haruna said the ministry had thus instructed the NCA to assist Airtel to remedy the situation.
He explained that the NCA had commenced the installation of the Intelligence Signalling Management System (SIM Box Fraud Tool) to verify Call Data Records (CDRs) of the networks of the telecom operators to promote transparency in the management of the international gateways, among others.
According to him, the Electronic Communications Act, as amended, empowers the NCA to establish mechanisms and institute measures to monitor compliance by the telecom networks.
He said the installation exercise was stalled as a result of the court action initiated in July 2010 by the Alliance for Accountable Government (AFAG) seeking relief that the exercise would not intrude into private conversations.
The minister said even though AFAG graciously withdrew the court action after appreciating the need to eliminate illegal SIM Box termination in the country, three other Ghanaians subsequently filed another action in court.
Mr Haruna said notwithstanding these impediments, the NCA was currently relying on the voluntary declaration of call volumes to invoice the telecom operators for the payment of government’s portion of termination rate as provided in the law.
He added that within six months of the implementation and relying solely on voluntary submission of CDRs, a total of $30 million had been generated as non-tax revenue contribution to the government while the number of SIM cards had been reduced from 12,440 in October, 2010 to 3,506 as of January 20, 2011.
Mr Haruna said the escalating fraudulent numbers on the networks of the telecom operators constituted loss of revenue to the companies and the government.
He explained that the anti-fraud exercise of the NCA had also led to the arrest of two illegal operators and the seizure of 8,792 SIM cards, which if they were used would had led to an estimated revenue loss of $500,000 per month with the government losing up to $100,000 per month in tax/levy collection.
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
DESPITE the success in the National Communication Authority’s (NCA) effort to reduce fraud on the networks of telecommunication companies operating in the country, Airtel, formerly called Zain, is still recording fraudulent numbers on its network, the Minister of Communications, Mr Iddrisu Haruna, has revealed.
According to him, in the first 20 days of the year alone, 3,469 fraud numbers constituting 95 per cent of total fraud numbers had already been terminated on the Airtel’s network.
The minister made these revelations when he appeared before Parliament yesterday to answer a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo-Ano North, Mr Richard Akuoko Adiyia.
The MP wanted to know the status of the installation of the Intelligence Signalling Management System on the International gateways of the telecom operators in the country.
Between June, last year and January 20, this year a total of 64,855 fraud numbers were detected on the networks of the five telecom operators, namely Vodafone, Tigo, MTN, Airtel and Expresso (Kasapa) with Airtel alone recording a total of 32,294.
Mr Haruna said the ministry had thus instructed the NCA to assist Airtel to remedy the situation.
He explained that the NCA had commenced the installation of the Intelligence Signalling Management System (SIM Box Fraud Tool) to verify Call Data Records (CDRs) of the networks of the telecom operators to promote transparency in the management of the international gateways, among others.
According to him, the Electronic Communications Act, as amended, empowers the NCA to establish mechanisms and institute measures to monitor compliance by the telecom networks.
He said the installation exercise was stalled as a result of the court action initiated in July 2010 by the Alliance for Accountable Government (AFAG) seeking relief that the exercise would not intrude into private conversations.
The minister said even though AFAG graciously withdrew the court action after appreciating the need to eliminate illegal SIM Box termination in the country, three other Ghanaians subsequently filed another action in court.
Mr Haruna said notwithstanding these impediments, the NCA was currently relying on the voluntary declaration of call volumes to invoice the telecom operators for the payment of government’s portion of termination rate as provided in the law.
He added that within six months of the implementation and relying solely on voluntary submission of CDRs, a total of $30 million had been generated as non-tax revenue contribution to the government while the number of SIM cards had been reduced from 12,440 in October, 2010 to 3,506 as of January 20, 2011.
Mr Haruna said the escalating fraudulent numbers on the networks of the telecom operators constituted loss of revenue to the companies and the government.
He explained that the anti-fraud exercise of the NCA had also led to the arrest of two illegal operators and the seizure of 8,792 SIM cards, which if they were used would had led to an estimated revenue loss of $500,000 per month with the government losing up to $100,000 per month in tax/levy collection.
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