After several calls from some Civil Society Organisation (CSOs), groups and leaders of political parties for telecommunication industries to reduce cost of data and calls to mitigate the fight against the coronavirus pandemic
According to Chief Executive Officer of the chamber, Ken Ashigbey his outfit has rolled out some interventions to support Ghanaians in this crisis period in terms of data and talk time.
In an interview with ABC News, CEO of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ken Ashigbey said telcos in the country have decided to absorb the data costs associated with visits to critical websites which provide information on COVID-19 awareness and safety protocols.
According to Ken Ashigbey, websites like the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Information, and other Government of Ghana portals that provides essential information to citizens have all been zero-rated, meaning no data costs to consumers when they visit these sites.
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Moreover, educational websites which enable students study has also been made free for all who visit these sites, a move by the telcos to enhance and make freely accessible teaching and learning in this rather trying time.
He indicated that students are not charged when they visit their e-learning platforms created by their various schools.
Also, citizens will not be charged with calls made to the COVID-19 emergency numbers.
“It is imperative that Ghanaians stay connected during this period and as an industry we reiterate our readiness to support customers that’s why we’ve put in place certain packages to ease the burden of Ghanaians. There is now zero-rating to critical websites that provide COVID-19 awareness and safety protocols, no data charges to educational and related websites as well as other critical Government of Ghana portals that offer essential services to citizens,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of investment in the education area especially, what we’ve done is that we’ve zero-rated the website. It means when you go to that websites your data isn’t taken from you. Over 30 educational online sites, both public and private have all been zero-rated,” he added.
Good move, thank you.
Well done
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