GHANA TO FIGHT E-COMMERCE & DIGITAL FRAUD IN SUPPORT OF AFCFTA
Source: ministry_of_communications_ghana

9033REPUBLIC OF GHANA GHANA TO FIGHT E-COMMERCE & DIGITAL FRAUD IN SUPPORT OF AFCFTA This directive applies to DSBOs such as Uber, Glovo, Bolt, Yango, Jiji, Tonaton, Jumia, Hubtel, UberEats, Bolt Food, Plendify, Melcom.com, Maxmartghana.com etc. All Digital Service & Business Operators (DSBOs) in Ghana, particularly those in e- commerce, e-logistics, e-trade, and e-services are hereby notified to comply with all relevant electronic, e-commerce and logistics laws in Ghana, such as Section 10 of Act 649, the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission Act, which makes goods delivery and courier activities in Ghana a regulated service, and Sections 47 to 49 of Act 772, the Electronic Transactions Act, which specifies the minimum compliance standards for e-commerce operators. It is imperative to enforce measures to reduce e-commerce fraud in Ghana to ensure the success of digital trading platforms, applications and services. Ghana is actively working to put measures in place to operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost the economic integration of the continent. To engender trust and encourage greater usage of digital platforms for internal, regional and continental trade, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization hereby issues the following directives. MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION DSBOs must note and comply with the following Compliance Guidelines: 1. It is illegal to operate a digital platform for physical goods delivery in Ghana without registering with the Postal & Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC). All courier and delivery service providers (DSPs) must register with the PCSRC which has streamlined the registration process for DSPs on the AfCFTA Hub. 2. All DSPs should visit and follow the prompts on how to register for the PCSRC e-certificate and obtain an AfCFTA Number. 3. DSBOs operating in Ghana must verify the PCSRC e-certificates for DSPs on the AfCFTA Hub by the end of November 2023. 4. From December 19th, 2023 onwards, DSBOs must cease onboarding or working with new DSPs that have not registered with the PCSRC and obtained the requisite e-certificate. 5. It is mandatory for all DSBOs, including e-commerce, ride-sharing courier operators, and e-logistics platforms to register on the PCRSC portal. 6. Logistics operators connected to ports must also register, with assistance from the Ghana Revenue Authority. P. 0. Box M38, Accra-Ghana Digital Address: GA-079-0539 Kindly quote this number and date on all correspondence My Ref No. /oa Your Ref No. Date. Many thanks. MRS. URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL (MP) MINISTER The AfCFTA Hub is supported on a continental level by the AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union 4D, and AfroChampions and will be replicated across the continent. We are counting on the full support of all stakeholders for the success of this rcise as this will promote the exponential growth of digital trade for their benefit, exercise. The Government of Ghana launched the AfCFTA Hub on August 29th, 2022, to enhance digital trade while reducing fraud, illicit trade, and abuse. The AfCFTA Hub will complement other African Union 4D platforms like the ProPer Seals and Tranzyt platforms to enhance commerce in an environment of trust and security. Policy Directives issued in this regard are therefore to ensure smooth compliance with registration and verification procedures by DSBOs and DSPs within the existing regulatory framework. These directives have become necessary because of persistent non-compliance with the law in the digital business space in Ghana, particularly regarding courier and delivery services notwithstanding notices sent by the Ministry and relevant agencies to DSBOs and DSPs to regular use their operations since August 2022. Ghana's strategic goal of becoming the AfCFTA gateway could be affected if digital fraud is not controlled. The responsibility for verifying the registration status of all drivers, couriers and agents lies with DSBOs and DSPs who must ensure they have valid PCSRC e- certificates and AfCFTA Numbers before doing business with them. DSBOs and DSPs must also facilitate consumers verification of the registration of couriers and delivery agents and provide a means for consumers to file complaints and rate services online using PCSRC e-certificate IDs. 7. DSBOs and DSPs on existing platforms have until January 24th, 2024, to obtain PCSRC e-certificates for all affiliated drivers, couriers, and delivery agents which are active on their networks. 8. Additional information on compliance and enforcement can be obtained from afcfta.pcsrc.gov.gh, by contacting PCSRC in person, or through email: info@afcfta.aDD. Distribution: All Digital Services Business Operators (DSBOs) All E-Commerce companies in Ghana All Ride-Sharing companies in Ghana All Postal and Courier companies in Ghana Parcel delivery operators including transport operators All Digital Service Providers (DSPs)