The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has stated that it will ensure the success of the Common Monitoring Platform (CMP) operated by Kelni-GVG, as long as it doesn’t compromise the privacy of its customers, and the security of its networks.
According to the CEO of the chamber, Kenneth Ashigbey, the chamber will do all it can to help in building a platform that satisfies the laws of the country.
His comments follow the announcement of possible sanctions by the Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, to all telecommunication networks that fail to physically connect to the CMP.
The platform is expected to assist government monitor mobile money traffic, telecommunications traffic, revenue assurance, among others.
Speaking to Citi Business News, Mr. Ashigbey assured that the chamber will assist government to block any revenue loopholes in the system.
“All our members are working to ensure that the common platform works. But we have concerns with the privacy of our customers being tampered with, as well as the security of our networks. The very law that gives the Minister the power to impose sanctions is the very law that also says that the connection has to be done in a particular way in order to comply with provision of the constitutions.”
Mr. Ashigbey added that the chamber and its members were primarily concerned with finding a solution that achieves the objectives of government but also satisfies the law.
“If we are able to come up with a solution that obeys the law completely, we will do it. If they are able to do it on time that will be great, but if it will require more time I’m sure the National Communications Authority (NCA), who we are working with will go back to the Minister and tell her that, we are making progress but we aren’t done yet. What is key for us the chamber however is complying with the law.”
Concerns over Kelni GVG deal
There have been suggestions that telcos are not pleased with the common platform monitoring system being implemented by Kelni GVG.
Some observers have also raised concerns about the privacy of callers’ data.
A lot of the criticism of the deal, which is costing Ghana $89 million, has come from think tank IMANI Africa.
But the Communications Ministry insists that these fears have been assuaged.
IMANI Africa first sounded an alarm over the details of the deal and called for its immediate termination.
President of Imani Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, argued that the agreement mirrored the controversial agreements the state entered into with Subah Infosolutions and Afriwave Telcom Ltd in 2010 and 2016 respectively.
He also raised the privacy concerns while questioning the credibility of Kelni GVG.
–
By: Bobbie Osei/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana