ICH bill passage good for local content – Gov’t

Communications Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah has said amendments to the Electronic Communications Bill 2016, will enhance local content in the telecommunication industry.

Parliament on Friday March 18 approved amendments to the bill, which is, to among other things, establish an Interconnect Clearing House (ICH) to make service delivery very affordable to subscribers.

Speaking to Class News after the bill’s passage, Dr Omane Boamah outlined the strategic importance of the bill and said it would help raise revenue for the state.

“That is good for local content because as we speak now, Ghanaians are not having a major stake in the telecommunication sector; it is known to all,” he stated.

“Check the six mobile network operators, apart from Airtel and Vodafone that Ghana has 30 per cent or less than 30 per cent [stake in]; the rest are owned by non-Ghanaians. That is not good for this economy, and I am very excited that this motion has been passed with magnanimity.

“I believe that going forward, we have a few more policies to be looked at. One has to do with domestic roaming,” he added.