The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, announced on Sunday, February 18, 2024, that Ghana has successfully implemented the ECOWAS free roaming initiative in collaboration with Cote d’Ivoire.
The initiative aims to enhance integration and foster international connectivity between the two nations.
Speaking at a press briefing under the theme, ‘Digital Infrastructure to Bridge the Digital Divide,’ Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful revealed that the initiative, initially adopted in 2016, faced challenges in its implementation.
However, she disclosed that Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire overcame obstacles and became the first ECOWAS member states to implement the ECOWAS free roaming in June 2023.
The initiative focuses on promoting greater integration among ECOWAS member states and reducing roaming charges within the sub-region. With this development, citizens of both Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire can access the internet without incurring international charges.
Additionally, individuals can make and receive calls while being charged at the local rate of the country they are currently in.
The successful implementation is expected to contribute to improved international connectivity and collaboration within the ECOWAS region.
“Ghana has also taken a bold step to implement the free-roaming initiative which was adopted in 2016 but suffered implementation challenges. In June 2023, we went into a bilateral discussion with Cote d’Ivoire to implement this initiative and the two countries became the first ECOWAS countries to implement the free-roaming initiative to promote greater integration among member states and decrease roaming charges within the sub-region.”
“This simply means that Ghanaian subscribers of any network in Ghana visiting Cote d’Ivoire will receive calls without paying any international roaming charges and will be charged the Cote d’Ivoire local rate when making calls to Ghana while in Cote d’Ivoire and vice versa. Subscribers travelling between both countries also be exempt from international roaming charges.”
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful further explained that Ghana has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Togo to implement a similar initiative and hoping for the results by the end of the first quarter of the year [2024]
Additionally, she said, the National Communication Authority has received calls from Benin and Gambia to establish a similar bilateral process.
“Following the successful execution of this agreement between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana has also signed an MoU with Togo to start the process of implementing this service between them by the end of the first quarter of the year. The NCA has also been approached by Benin and Gambia to establish a similar bilateral ECOWAS roaming service. ”
This she said will facilitate trade and interactions between citizens of these countries and give meaning to regional integration.
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Meanwhile, the Namibian High Commission in Ghana organized a solemn memorial service on Saturday, February 17, to honour the late President Hage Geingob, who passed away while serving his second term in office.
Namibian President, Geingob’s untimely demise occurred early on a Sunday in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and service.
The memorial, held at the Accra International Conference Center, drew a distinguished audience comprising government officials, political figures, traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic community, and Namibian residents in Ghana, all united in paying tribute to the late president.
Delivering his address on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana, Ambassador Ramses Joseph Cleland, Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, highlighted President Geingob’s unwavering commitment to combating corruption, both in Namibia and across the African continent.
He said, “It is paramount to also note President Geingob’s fight against corruption. He launched several initiatives to combat corruption, including establishing an anti-corruption commission and strengthening basic protection laws. These underscored his administration’s commitment to producing good governance, transparency, and integrity.”
“These efforts represented important steps towards building a more just and accountable society where corruption has no place, and public resources are used for the benefit of our citizens. Beyond his potential achievements, President Geingob was a beloved figure among the Namibian people. He was known for his accessibility, humility, and genuine concern for the welfare of his people.”
The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, in a tribute on behalf of Ghana’s traditional leaders, emphasized the late president’s instrumental contributions to shaping Namibia’s constitution, citing them as exemplary benchmarks for good governance and adherence to the rule of law.
“The passing of President Geingob is a loss to me personally. On behalf of the Traditional leaders of Ghana, I wish to express our condolences to all who are mourning and particularly to His Excellency Minister and of course, the government and people of Namibia. As leaders, the best tribute to make and pay to this great man is to aim to be the best that our people can ever have. Let us be consoled that he ever lived, let us be consoled by the great things he had done, and the lessons that we have learnt from his legacy.”
