Ghana Telecoms Chamber vouch affordable electricity tariffs for telecom firms

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has urged the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission(PURC) to review its tariffs on electricity to make available cheaper power to telecommunication firms in the country.

According to the chamber, it has noted with grave concern that access to power has become more expensive for telecom firms, a situation that is causing the industry’s huge operational costs.

Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Dr. Ken Ashigbey, therefore called on the PURC to consider a review of the tariffs for the telecoms industry, indicating that telecommunication has become an essential service in the country.

He said, “Telecommunication has now become a human right and a utility, hence we need to ensure that we all work together to ensure that that service is available.”

“If that is the case, then we can’t have it that the cost of power to be able to generate one bit of data is more expensive than the cost of power to chill a drink at home,” Dr. Ashigbey added.

He also indicated that his outfit is putting a proposal on the subject matter together for the PURC’s attention and consideration.

He spoke at the 21st Knowledge Forum organized by the Chamber on the theme, “Empowering Consumers through clean energy transitions.”

The forum brought together players in the telecommunications and energy sector to deliberate on promoting clean energy transitions and ensuring that the telecoms industry remains sustainable and resilient.

Dr. Ashigbey admonished the general public to use energy-efficient gadgets including mobile phones in order to support the country’s energy conservation plans.

“The consumer should know that they are not bystanders, they also have a role to play in terms of the devices they choose”, he said.