Order Telcos To Reduce Internet Charges  — CEO Of Marrer Ghana Urges Akufo-Addo

Mr Novihoho Afaglo

THE CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Marrer Ghana Limited and Susatgad Boat Building and Fishing Industries, Mr Novihoho Afaglo, is appealing to government to order the telcos to reduce the cost of internet usage in Ghana at this critical covid-19 times.

Mr Afaglo said it is a step in the right direction, particularly where students at this critical moment rely on the internet to access lectures and course materials through online platforms due to Covid-19.

According to him, to make the online teaching and learning effective to much up with the rest of the world, the government of Ghana must think of absorbing the cost of internet usage just it did for water and electricity.

“It is my humble plea that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Ministry of Communication call the various communication networks to order to reduce the cost of talk time and internet charges in this period,” Mr Afaglo stated.

He added that when the internet and talk time charges are reduced, it will lessen the pressure in the system and also help students catch up with their studies.

He noted that information going round suggests that the amount of money wired outside the country by communication networks on a daily basis is awesome and the sad thing is “they get to dictate the rate at which they are selling prices to the banks when government can put tough measures in place to restrict the wire of such billions in a day.”

The CEO stressed that it is time the governor of the Bank of Ghana gives the telcos a rate that will make them reinvest the money back into the country than ripping the people off and sending the money abroad.

“Some of these telcos will blame the high cost of internet usage on charges on taxes remitted to the government but the real issue is that these companies are ripping the country off,” he stated.

Mr Afaglo added Ghana can do better if all these investors that come in are just allowed to invest back some percentage of the monies into the country for the benefit of all.

“For the sake of continuity, government should be able to take tough decisions in restructuring all contracts with previous investors in all areas to ensure equity in the system,” Mr Afaglo stated.