OccupyGhana demands clarity on ICH

Pressure group OccupyGhana is demanding clarity from the National Communication Authority (NCA) on the proposed Interconnect Clearing House (ICH) system meant to police the telecommunication sector to avert Sim box fraud.

The ICH is meant to interconnect local calls between mobile networks on behalf of telecommunications companies (TELCOs) in Ghana as well as connect international calls.

It has received widespread criticism from civil society groups including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). Also Obuasi West MP Kweku Kwarteng and Mr Elijah Adansi-Bonah, Research Director of Development Data – a policy research organisation – have sued the Government over the matter.

OccupyGhana, which also has qualms about the contract, wants the NCA to furnish the group with correspondence and information exchanged between the industry regulator and all stakeholders as far as various discussions leading to the approval of the contract is concerned.

“…Pursuant to Article 21 (1) (f) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, we hereby respectfully seek the additional information… in respect of the purported Interconnect Clearing House policy and proposed license, and request that it be supplied in the next seven (7) working day,” the group said.

The letter specified the group’s demands as: “Minutes and/or notes of all related meetings and discussions involving NCA personnel, directors, board members, and outside persons, prior to NCA making its policy recommendations to the Ministry (per NCA mandate).

“Minutes and/or notes of all related meetings and discussions involving NCA personnel, directors, board members, Ministry personnel (including the Minister and Deputy Ministers) and outside persons, whether initiated by NCA, the Ministry, or any other person, in which policy recommendations from NCA or policy goals from the Ministry were presented or discussed.”