The Ghanaian authorities on Wednesday signed an ECOWAS free roaming agreement with Togo and Benin governments at the National Communications Authority (NCA) Tower in Accra.
The ECOWAS Roaming Initiative, will allow citizens of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to use mobile services in each other’s countries without paying international roaming fees.
Per the agreement, residents of Ghana no longer have to buy multiple SIM cards or roam their data when visiting Togo or Bènin.
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ECOWAS free roaming initiative to remove extra costs
Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Charles Acheampong, said the ECOWAS roaming initiative signals a new phase in Ghana’s ties with its neighbours—in this case, Togo and Benin—during his speech to attendees.
The initiative, according to Mr Acheampong, highlights the common goal of West Africa, which is to have borders that do not hinder social contacts, commerce, or communication.
“This Initiative will allow our citizens to stay connected seamlessly, without the burden of high roaming charges or the inconvenience of multiple SIMs,” he said.
He explained that the agreement would eliminate extra costs and provide significant financial savings to Ghanaians during the first 30 days of their visit to the host nations. This will promote increased travel and a more cohesive and integrated region.
He also encouraged the NCA to establish precise benchmarks for evaluating the ECOWAS Roaming Initiative’s effectiveness.
“Only by measuring our progress can we ensure that we are delivering on the promises made to our citizens and achieving the intended outcomes,” Mr Acheampong added.
Roaming initiative to unite West Africa people
Director General of the NCA, Dr. Joe Anokye, stressed that the launch was more than just a technical triumph. It represented a shared commitment, he said, to bring the people of West Africa closer together, beginning with our own countries.
According to Dr Anokye, the ECOWAS Roaming Initiative began with the goal of creating a smooth communication environment between member states.
He added that the implementation committees from Ghana, Benin, and Togo had worked tirelessly and with unflinching dedication, to ensure the success of the Free roam initiative.
Dr. Hervé Coovi Guedegbe, the Executive Secretary of Benin’s Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP BENIN), acknowledged that the launch represents not only a significant step forward in cooperation between Ghana and Benin, but also a critical step towards regional integration within the Economic Community of West African States.
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The significant roles played by the Mobile Network Operators
The Director General of Togo’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications (ARCEPTogo), Michel Yaovi Galley, expressed his gratitude to all regulatory authority leaders, especially the Executive Secretary of ARCEP Benin and the Director General of Ghana’s NCA, for figuring out how to accomplish the bilateral implementation of the ECOWAS regulation in the best interests of all consumers and the people in the region.
He also commended the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for their efforts and cooperation towards the successes of the initiative.
The mobile network operators of the three nations assured that they would bear responsibility for the project’s success.