NCR Pledges Support For ICT Development

Executives of NCR with Dorothy Gordon

The Network of Communication Reporters (NCR), a group made up of journalists with specialization and interest in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and telecoms issues, have pledged their commitment in ensuring economic growth through the development of the ICT industry in the country.

Charles Benoni Okine, Dean of the NCR said, “We pledge our commitment in ensuring that ICT becomes a major driver of economic growth in the country, given the sector’s enormous and largely under-tapped potential.”

He noted that “the Network will constantly keep an eye on government policy implementation in the area of ICT as a contribution to ensuring that the country gets the best out of every ICT project.”

Mr. Okine, who was speaking at the official inauguration of the Network in Accra, said the group had closely monitored the various transformations in policy direction in the telecommunications sector, which include the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card registration; Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and presently the drive towards migrating into the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), which is expected to be fully rolled out by the end of 2014.

This, he said, “is ambitious and the NCR would want to pledge its commitment to help in the education of the public on the digital migration for it to become another major success.”

He entreated the ministry and other players in the industry to also help broaden the knowledge of members through workshops and seminars to enable them better understand the issues so they could be in a better position to pass on the information to the public.

Mr. Okine stated emphatically that “the Network is not formed to do the bidding of any player in the sector, the regulator or the ministry. Members will be as objective as possible ensuring utmost fairness in its reportage and advocacy work in the interest of the consumer.”

NCR, which is an affiliate of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), is aimed at bringing together communicators with interests in ICT reporting; equipping journalists/communicators with skills in ICT reporting; educating and informing the general public on ICT issues and advocating for ICT as a paramount tool for development and access to international communities.

NCR will also serve as a business and social networking platform for members and key sector actors.

William Tevie, the Director General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), who represented the Deputy Minister of Communications, stated that NCR could not have come at a better time when Ghana’s communication sector in general, and the telecom industry in particular has gone into the annals of the world as one of the most dynamic in the emerging markets.

He said “there is a growing number of start ups in the ICT industry comprising of young software developers, SMS aggregators and several other industry service providers that are adding to the dynamism of the industry by the day.”
He expressed the hope that NCR would work hard and give the industry the coverage it deserves.

Dorothy Gordon, Director General of the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT and a patron of the NCR, said there has not been enough reportage on ICT related issues considering the rapid growth in the industry.

She therefore called on members of the group “to use social media platforms to discuss issues about Ghana and its growth and policy direction on ICT.”
The event, which was supported by Vodafone, Nokia, Airtel, MTN, Tigo and Alltel, was also used to inaugurate the 12 executives of the group.

Pensions Board Tenure Ends

• Without Licensing A Scheme

Sam Pee Yalley, CEO NPRA

By Esther Awuah

The three-year tenure of the National Pensions Board has ended without the licensing of a pension scheme to begin operations.

Despite this situation, employers have been remitting five percent of their employees’ salaries to the Temporary Pension Fund (TPF) since January 2010.

The National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) seeks to create a unified pension system under a three-tiered pension structure, with Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) as the operator of the First Tier, and Approved Trustees (Corporate Trustees) as operators of the mandatory Tier 2 and Voluntary Tier 3 schemes.

The board of National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) was established in September 2009 to oversee the implementation of the new pension’s reforms in the country.

To begin the implementation, the NPRA set up a TPF in January 2010 to provisionally administer Tier 2 pending the licensing of Trustees.

In October 2011, the NPRA issued the needed administrative guidelines to make way for the full implementation of the Act.
Subsequently, corporate trustees, fund managers and pension fund custodians purposely established to fully administer the Tiers 2 and 3 schemes were licensed on March 16, 2012.
However, a licensed Corporate Trustee, who pleaded anonymity, told CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE that presently the needed arrangements had been put in place for the pension schemes to be licensed by the NPRA.

“NPRA has still not licensed any scheme after three years of its creation, and we wish to bring to working public’s attention some of the grave concerns that threaten the pensions industry, and together with all stakeholders, demand government’s immediate action to forestall the collapse of the pension system.

“The snail-pace approach adopted by the NPRA gives reason for worry,” the source hinted.

According to the source, more recently the NPRA set three deadlines for scheme licensing and failed to adhere to them.

The first deadline of 30th of April, 2012 was later moved to 30th June, 2012 and then subsequently to 31st August, 2012.

The last deadline has ended without the licensing a single pension/provident fund scheme.

When contacted, Sam Pee Yalley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NPRA, told this paper that the Authority has not delayed the implementation of the scheme.

“Government has given us the mandate to ensure that people’s life’s savings are kept properly, so we are not going to rush anything in the interest of any party or parties.”

He added that “this is an important project and the schemes require a lot of input, which we going to take our time to put it in place.”

“Pressure will not push me to send people’s money to just any company,” he emphasized.

He however appealed to the general public and workers to exercise restraint.

MTN CEO Worried

• Over Delayed Permits

By Esther Awuah

Michael Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, has expressed concern over delay in the issuance of permits for the installation of telecommunication masts and antenna by relevant stakeholders.

He said “we have close to about 30 sites because we have not been able to get permits to install our masts and this is quite challenging.”

Most network operators have over the years complained about delays in obtaining permits to mount their masts to increase capacity and improve their network quality and coverage.

Before a network operator can mount a mast or antenna, it needs separate permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies.

In obtaining the permit, the operator must, among other things, obtain written neighbourhood consent from people living close to the spot where the mast is to be erected.

Mr. Ikpoki told Daily Guide in Accra during the launch of MTN’s 11 million subscriber milestone that MTN was in talks with relevant stakeholders to address the problem.

The CEO also raised concerns over fibre cuts which he said was negatively affecting not only the operations of the company but its subscribers who experience call cuts when such problems occur.

He stated that “this month alone MTN has suffered about 25 fibre cuts and each of these cuts depend on how much traffic it carries, it also affects the service we render to our customers.”

He noted that MTN, through the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, was working with National Communications Authority (NCA), Ghana Highway Authority and the Municipal Assemblies to address the issue.

“It is an industry wide issue and we are getting a lot of support from our key stakeholders,” Mr. Ikpoki noted.

He said despite these challenges “MTN remains very proactive and would continue to provide our subscribers with the best services available.”

ZETL To Manage Gas Waste

Kwaku Ennin

By Esther Awuah
ZEAL ENVIRONMENTAL Technologies Limited (ZETL), the company responsible for managing oil waste at the Jubilee Field, has stated its preparedness to manage waste that would be generated at the gas processing plant after the completion of the project.

According to Kwaku Ennin, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ZETL, his outfit had signed an agreement with Lonrho, the London based company which would construct and manage a logistics port along the coast of the western region, to set up a waste processing plant at the port.

He said “we have signed Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Lonrho to set up a facility right at the terminal to take advantage of its proximity to the gas facility that will be set up there. We will manage the waste that will be generated both from the gas plant and the port terminal.”

Mr. Ennin disclosed this when selected journalists undergoing a training programme in oil and gas visited his plant at Takoradi in the Western region.

He also noted that “our newly installed oily waste water separating plant here in Takoradi would also enable us to process gas condensate to be generated by West Africa Gas Pipeline.”

He indicated that “ZETL is in the process of installing an industrial incinerator, the first of its kind in the country purposely to serve the oil field activities as well as the mining sector.

“The incinerator will help both oil and mining companies to adopt best industrial practices in managing waste.”

Gov’t Subsidizes Fridges

By Esther Awuah

Government has committed an amount of GH¢3 million for a three-year pilot rebate and exchange programme aimed at encouraging the purchase of new refrigerators.

Under the project, consumers who turn in their old refrigerator appliances will be supported financially to pay part of the cost of a new and efficient refrigerator.

Consumers who opt for higher efficiency refrigerator appliances will also receive further rebates depending on the level of efficiency of their appliances.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy, Professor Thomas Akabzaa, who read a speech on behalf of the sector Minister, Dr. Joe Oteng-Adjei, during the launch of the project noted that “the objective of the Refrigerating Appliance Market Transformation Project is to reduce the energy consumption of refrigerating appliances from the current average of 1,200 Kilowatt hour (kWh) to 600 kWh per appliance per annum.”

He noted that the about 50,000 energy efficient refrigerators are expected to be sold under the programme over the next three years.

This, he said, “could result in a massive savings of 216 mega watts hour (MWh) of electricity which is more than half of the electricity that will be produced by Bui dam when completed.”

Explaining the procedure, Prof. Akabzaa noted that “when the old and less efficient refrigerators are sent to the participating retail shops they would be checked to confirm if they are functioning. If confirmed a coupon would be awarded for the purchase of a new energy efficient labeled refrigerator and the consumer will use the coupon to pay part of the cost of the new refrigerator.”

He said that “a selected participating bank, Ecobank Ghana will also provide consumer loans to provide assistance to customers who can still not afford to top up to buy the brand new energy efficient refrigerators.”

He emphasised that to ensure value for money only refrigerators that meet the Ghanaian standard as specified in the regulatory framework on minimum performance standards L.I 1958 as amended L.I 1970 would be allowed into the country.

“Further to this, a Refrigerator Test facility would be installed by 2013 at the Ghana Standards Authority Laboratories to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements,” he emphazised.

Alfred Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, the promoters of the project, noted that the rebate scheme is also intended to reinforce the ban on the importation of used refrigerators, which takes effect from January 1, 2013.
He said the ban on old refrigerators would save the nation about $33 million annually.

Mr. Ahenkorah cautioned importers to desist from importing refrigerators which do not meet the required standard as they would not be allowed to clear them from the ports.
Kamil Kamaluddeen, the Unite Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director, also pledged his organization’s support towards the project.

Atuabo Gas Plant Progressing Steadily

From Esther Awuah, Atuabo

SINOPEC, the Chinese contractor working on the Gas Processing Plant at Atuabo in the Western region, is going the extra mile to meet its December 2012 deadline for the completion of the first phase of the project.

The Gas Processing Plant of the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) is expected to process gas from the Jubilee field into clean fuels and feedstock for the domestic and export markets while promoting the development of the country’s petrochemical industries to eliminate the flaring of gas.

Victor Kofi Sunu-Attah, a Project Development Manager from GNGC recently disclosed that “GNGC has been given its marching orders by the Ministry of Energy to give the first gas to be produced by January 2013 to the Volta River Authority (VRA) by February of the same year.”

A visit by the paper to Atuabo showed that the area where the gas plant would be situated had been cleared while labourers were busily filling the area with sand.
Trucks filled with sand were seen moving to and fro while pipelines were being laid from the processing plant to the Takoradi Thermal Plant at Aboadze.

Though some of the Chinese workers declined to speak, this paper gathered that work goes on throughout the week and at night.

Philip Parker, a labourer at the site, disclosed that he was employed to work at the site as a labourer about three weeks ago and receives a daily wage of GH¢14 a day.
He said “since the commencement of the project most of the young people in Atuabo and its surrounding villages have been engaged as temporary labourers on the site.”

Parker, who was formally engaged in illegal mining (galamsey), expressed the hope that the labourers would be trained in other areas so they could take advantage of the project when it gets to the construction stage.

Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema, in an interview with this paper, said he was delighted that the project had been sited at Atuabo to help create more job opportunities for inhabitants.

He said “it is a delight for Atuabo to host this national project because of the enormous job opportunities and benefits it holds for not only its inhabitants, but Ghana as a whole.”

He however expressed the hope that the jobs, which would be created as a result of the project, would be sustainable.

‘Ghana Has No Gas Plan’

John-Peter Amewu

By Esther Awuah
The absence of what experts described as ‘a regulatory gas master plan’ could greatly affect the country’s gas industry, John-Peter Amewu, a Senior Research Fellow at the Africa Centre for Energy Policy has indicated.

He said “as a country, we do not have any comprehensive gas master plan or policy and without them there is no way we can sell our gas.”

Mr. Amewu, addressing selected journalists who attended a week-long training programme on oil and gas in Accra, noted that the master plan was crucial to any gas developing country because it would provide the framework to regulate the production and commercialization of gas in large quantities.

He called on the government to speed up work on the gas plan, adding that such a plan “would direct the country on pricing, pipeline regulations, transportation and other key areas which will help to segment the industry into various areas.”

In spite of the absence of the plan, work is ongoing to complete the Gas Processing Plant and its associated infrastructure at Atuabo and surrounding communities in the Western region.

The project, which is being undertaken by the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) and its Chinese contractors Sinopec, will process gas from the Jubilee field into clean fuels and feedstock for domestic and export market while promoting the development of the country’s petrochemical industries and eliminate flaring of gas.

Responding to Mr. Amewu’s statement, Victor Kofi Sunu-Attah, a Project Development Manager from the GNGC, indicated that government took steps to establish the plant because it did not want to flare gas while working around the clock to put together a comprehensive plan to manage the emerging industry.

He said “although there is no formal gas master plan in place, Ghana knows what to do with its gas – for industrialization and that is the best master plan we could ever have and it is because we are going to use gas to replace expensive light crude oil which we are using to generate electricity.”

He indicated that “the first 120 million standard cubic feet per day of gas to be processed has got ready market and I do not think we need to go and do a two or three year analysis to know what to do with that gas.”

He said that a gas master plan study, which is ongoing, would be completed and submitted to Cabinet for consideration.

He was hopeful the master plan would be completed soon to ensure its smooth implementation.

MTN Offers Freebies To 11m Subscribers

MTN CEO, Michael Ikpoki

By Esther Awuah

As part of celebrations marking its 11 millionth subscriber milestone, MTN Ghana has lined up a number of activities to reward its subscribers.

Dubbed ‘Raining 11 on MTN,’ the company will provide all 11 million subscribers with freebies across the various services it offers.

From today, MTN subscribers will be able to make 11 minutes of free calls over the next two months, and data users will get 50 percent bonus on all data bundles purchased and 20 percent discount on pay-as-you-go services.

There will also be airtime giveaways on selected radio stations across the country.
Michael Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN, who announced the new milestone, in Accra, expressed MTN’s excitement at achieving this significant milestone 10 months after it celebrated its 10 millionth subscriber milestone.

“We, at MTN, are proud of the confidence our valued subscribers and the Ghanaian public have shown in us. We shall continue to maintain and extend our culture of pursuing excellence as we celebrate this milestone by thinking ahead of our customers, foreseeing their needs and setting our minds on unveiling a new era in the field of telecommunications in Ghana,” he said.

He indicated that “MTN views this 11 Millionth milestone not only as recognition of our corporate values of leadership, integrity, relationship, innovation and Can- Do but also as a testimony of our strong brand value and image.”

The ceremony was also used to launch the second edition of the MTN Data Month, dubbed i-FEST.

Rahul De, Chief Marketing Officer, who gave highlights of the month-long activity said, “Internet usage is increasingly becoming the vogue of our society, voice seems to have peaked at over 90 percent and creating exciting packages for data is the most appropriate route presently and at MTN, we continue to develop relevant products and services that will allow easy access to the internet.”

He assured subscribers that MTN will explore the most advanced technologies in their operations to ensure the provision of quality services to satisfy customer needs.

In his remarks, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, stated that despite the fact that industry faces several challenges such as fibre cuts, it remains committed to providing its subscribers with improved services and customer satisfaction.

Gas Ready By January

By Esther Awuah

Ghana is expected to produce its first gas from the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant by January 2013 after the completion of the first phase of the project by December 2012.

The first phase involves the construction and installation of equipment.

Victor Kofi Sunu-Attah, a Project Development Manager from the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC), stated this during a presentation to selected journalists at an oil and gas training programme in Accra.

The initial projected feed gas rate from Atuabo will be 150 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd).

The project, being undertaken by GNGC and its Chinese contractors Sinopec, includes the construction of associated infrastructure at Atuabo and surrounding communities in the Western region.

The facility will process gas from the Jubilee field into clean fuels and feedstock for the domestic and export markets while promoting the development of the country’s petrochemical industries to eliminate the flaring of gas.

Mr. Sunu-Attah indicated that “GNGC has been given its marching orders by the Ministry of Energy to give the first gas to the Volta River Authority (VRA) by February of the same year (2013).”

He explained that there has to be a pre-commissioning and commissioning of the pipeline. Pre-commissioning is a series of processes carried out on the pipeline before the final product is introduced while commissioning means introducing the gas into the pipeline.

Mr. Sunu-Attah noted that the first phase of the project includes the “completion of storage facilities and an offshore buoy for export of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and condensate at Domunli in the Western region.

He said the medium to long-term development and expansion phase of the project includes a network of pipelines from the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility and other reserves from the basin to the gas processing plant.

In the near future, he said GNGC will float shares on the stock market to ensure “wider Ghanaian participation in petroleum activities and economic and social benefits from broadening ownership in the country’s natural resources.”

NCA Lab For Phone Testing Coming

Paarock VanPercy, Director-General of NCA

By Esther Awuah

As part of efforts to improve standards in the telecommunications industry, the National Communications Authority (NCA) is seeking approval and support from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to establish a laboratory in the country to test mobile phone devices.

The laboratory has become necessary because of the influx of inferior mobile phone devices which are said to be harmful to the body.

A source at the NCA told CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE that “the authority is unable to detect such inferior phones because it does not have laboratories for testing before they get onto the market.”

The NCA said it asked the ITU to help the authority to build a laboratory which will test not just mobile phones, but all other telecommunication equipment to ensure they meet the standards.

According to the source, progress had been made on the establishment of the lab and the authority would seek final approval during a World Telecoms Assembly (WTA) meeting in November.

“At the WTA to be held in Dubai in November, this year, it is expected that an amendment to the resolution which will give a date to the start of work on the laboratories will be passed.

The source said if a mobile phone is not made with the right materials, it would not be able to handle mobile phone services, including calls and lead to poor services.

“There are certain phones in the system, which are not user friendly and it’s about time we cleared them from the market,” the source emphasized.