NCA holds stakeholders’ forum in K’dua
A Deputy Minister of Communications, Mr Ato Sarpong, has reiterated the government’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable telephony communication in the country.
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That, he said, was evident with the laying of the Eastern Corridor Fibre cable layout which would go a long way to provide easy access to ICT.
He was addressing the second consumer forum of the National Communications Authority (NCA) in Koforidua.
It was on the theme: “Quality of Service, the Key to Consumer Satisfaction.”
Interactive platform
Mr Sarpong said he was excited about the fact that the NCA was consistently providing a platform for an interaction and expressed the expectation that the telecommunication companies would provide answers to seemingly high rates and the low quality of service.
He also admonished the telcos for not allowing calls to ring for the minimum length of time and rather sending calls automatically to voice mails which call recipients had not subscribed to.
Quality of service
In his welcome address, the Director General of the NCA, Mr William Tevie, assured consumers that the authority was consistently working with the service providers to ensure appreciable quality of service delivery to consumers.
He said efforts were also being made to provide appropriate channels for addressing consumer complaints and challenges.
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Consumer concerns
Participants expressed concerns about poor customer care from the service providers, especially in cases where consumers, who spoke local languages, were treated in an abrupt and unfriendly manner.
Issues were also raised concerning coverage limitations, necessitating consumers to subscribe to more than one service. Other issues were about poor reception, crossed lines and interruptions in communications causing delays.
A major issue of concern to almost all consumers was unsolicited electronic communications.
Broadcasting issues were also brought up at the forum. Radio stations complained of unfair competition from Public Address (PA) systems in advertising goods and services within the region.
They pointed out that the facilitators of the PA systems did not have to pay any licence or abide by any rules or regulations to advertise their wares. They were advised to direct their concerns to their municipal authorities.
Questions were also raised about the payment of TV licences to which the deputy minister did his best to explain to the audience. He advised attendees to direct all their concerns and complaints regarding the payment of TV licences to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
ICT in development
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Mavis Ama Frimpong, acknowledged the role ICT was playing in the development of the region and the achievement of the government’s goals.
In his closing remarks, the Board Chairman of the NCA, Mr Eugene Baffoe–Bonnie, referred to the new vision of the authority and assured consumers of the authority’s commitment to facilitate innovative solutions for the benefit of all stakeholders
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The National Communications Authority (NCA) held a second consumer forum in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, on the theme: “Quality of Service, the Key to Consumer Satisfaction.”
In compliance with the authority’s mandate as stipulated in the Electronic Communications Act 2008, the consumer forum is one of the interactive activities scheduled to bring stakeholders together on one platform to interact.
In this regard, the Koforidua Consumer Forum served the main purpose of providing a platform for communication service providers to meet and hear from their consumers, advocacy groups and the general public from the Eastern Region of the country.
The Director of the Consumer and Corporate Affairs Division of the Authority, Nana Defie Badu, advised consumers to read terms and condition of all promotions and services before subscribing to them.
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A mini exhibition was set by the authority and the MNOs to provide key consumer educational materials to participants, educate consumers and process complaints.