The CPA would like to call the attention of the minister of communications and the NCA about the very poor services by the telcos in recent time.
The CPA’s view is that with new technology available, services provided by thetelcos could have been improved by now but rather it is getting worse in thecountry.
The NCA bylaw or by their own ACT is supposed to conduct what is called QoS(Quality of Service) every so often.
Unfortunately, the NCA has not conducted the QoS test.
There are four main areas that the QoS is supposed to check.
1. Call Set-up time
2. Call Drop Rate
3. Congestion time
4. Completion rate.
In addition, these complaints were received by CPA
1. High cost of data
2. Unsolicited promos & adverts
3. Poor network
The CPA would like the public to know that all these difficulties they arebeing confronted with is due to the NCA not executing its regulatory mandate.We are calling on the on the Minister of Communication and Digitalization tocall the NCA to order for subscribers of telco services onto the challengesthey are facing. A few years back, the CPA released a similar pressstatement to draw the attention of the Minister and NCA. This practice must beaddressed as soon as possible.
The CPA in solidarity with the trades union congress are calling government to withdraw the 15% VAT on electricity. At this particular point in time , consumers of electricity are already overburdened and it will be unfair and disastrous on all electricity consumers, most especially households who do not add any value to electricity before using it.
Government should not forget that PURC, the regulator will definitely implement the automatic price adjustment on prices of utility services in this first quarter, so any additional cost from government will be a double jeopardy on consumers.
We understand government needs taxes for development but government can collect taxes in other ways and not on electricity consumption alone The CPA and the trade union congress are urging government to;
1. look at making sure that properties in the country are valued properly and taxed accordingly.
2.government should reduce its own expenditure that has become a burden on the Ghanaian tax payer.
In view of this , we are entreating all electricity users in the country to join the CPA and The Trades Union Congress for a massive showdown of protest against this15% VAT if it is not withdrawn by the 31st January 2024 which is the implementation deadline. Time has come for us to come together to let government know that they are elected to serve our interest and not their own interest.
The Public Utility Regulator granted audience to Consumer Protection Agency to discuss issues affecting consumers of utility services in the country.
The CPA and PURC has a long-standing relationship in serving Ghanaians as gatekeepers in maintaining a sound environment for both utility service providers and consumers. The visited accorded the CPA the opportunity to put our grievances directly to the PURC and to seek answers on some directives and happenings affecting consumers.
The position of the PURC in the eyes of the public has always been negative, regarding tariff adjustment which has seen over 50%increament since January 2023 to present.
Do not hesitate to bring your consumer complaints on utility services to th CPA for redress.
The CPA attention has been drawn to an illegal practice by British Airways with regards to paying for your airline tickets with cash at Standard Charted bank
BA and Standard Charted Bank have decided to charge $50 for paying of your ticket at their branches, this is an illegal practice and we are urging BA to stop immediately.
If BA and Standard charted has gone into any agreement, the passengers of BA should not be asked to pay any extra money besides the fare of the reservation.
The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has commended the decision of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to clamp down on the activities and operations of importers and marketers of low-quality diapers in the country.
It follows a warning issued by the FDA to manufacturers, importers and distributors of baby diapers against the importation of unhygienic baby diapers, also known as bale diapers into the country.
The regulatory body said it was against its Guidelines for the Regulation of Medical Devices (Appendix II) and the Ghana Standard Authority’s specifications for single-use disposable baby diapers (GS 1166:2017).
The Consumer Protection agency is calling on Ghanaians to use 5th right from the world consumer right charter to boycott product and services which prices seems to insensitive to their plight.
The purchasing right always belong to the consumer and he or she can use it as a protesting right anytime they feel cheated by a service or product.
