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

!us,lee' ■ •din PRESS RELEASE GHANA TO FIGHT E-COMMERCE & DIGITAL FRAUD IN SUPPORT OF AFCFTA w REPUBLIC OF GHANA The continued operation of these digital platforms, and delivery and courier services, without licensing and proper oversight contravenes the Electronic Transactions Act of 2008, Act 772 and the Postal 8i Courier Services Regulatory Commission Act of 2003, Act 649. To curb the growing menace of e-commerce fraud and crimes committed by unlicensed, unregistered drivers, courier operators and delivery personnel, these businesses will no longer be permitted to continue using unregistered personnel to deliver goods, as this contributes to fraud and customer abuse. The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has observed that many logistical companies and digital platform operators are flouting the law by facilitating courier services without complying with the country's licensing regulations. Section 10 of The Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission Act, Act 649, makes goods delivery and courier activities in Ghana a regulated service; and Sections 47 to 49 of the Electronic Transactions Act, Act 772, also specifies minimum compliance standards for e-commerce operators. The Ministry has therefore directed all such companies and the couriers/drivers operating on their networks to register with the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC) for an e-certificate and for an AfCFTA Number by December 19th, 2023. After this date, no new goods delivery and courier service provider can register with any digital platform or delivery service without a valid PSCRC e- certificate. Existing operators must comply by January 24th, 2024. Companies falling within the scope of this Directive include Uber, Bolt, Yango, Glovo, Jiji, Tonaton, Maxmartghana.com, and all e-commerce and e-delivery platforms and companies. MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONSAND DIGITALISATION This move to stricter law enforcement is further to earlier communications to these companies and other stakeholders in August last year. With increasing focus on the cross- border e-commerce objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the growing use of digital platforms to facilitate internal trade, it has become even more imperative to streamline this sector to ensure unimpeded growth. The government of Ghana has therefore launched the AfCFTA Hub to streamline and simplify licensing as part of the enforcement effort to ensure smooth legal compliance and to combat fraud. Tel : +233 (0) 302 666465 Fax : +233 (0) 302 666465 Email: info@moc.gov.gh Website : P. 0. Box M38, Accra-Ghana Digital Address: GA-079-0539 Kindly quote this number and date on all correspondence My Ref No. Your Ref No. Date. g-fU The Ministry seeks the full cooperation of all stakeholders in implementing these measures 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) -The General Public More details of this Directive are available on: additional information on compliance and enforcement can also be found at afcfta.pcsrc.gov.gh or by emailing fnfo@afcfta.app. MRS URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL (MP) MINISTER The AfCFTA Hub, supported by ProPer Seals and Tranzyttechnologies, aims to boost digital trade on the African continent while preventing fraud and illegal trade and we must build trust and engender confidence in the security of these platforms internally to achieve this continental objective. The AfCFTA Hub is endorsed by the AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union 4D, and AfroChampions. Tel : +233 (0) 302 666465 Fax : +233 (0) 302 666465 Email: info@moc.gov.gh Website :