Key stakeholders during the launch of “ECOWAS Free Roaming” initiative
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has launched the implementation of the “ECOWAS Free Roaming” initiative, aimed at providing seamless communication services among Ghana, Benin and Togo.
Speaking during the launch yesterday, Joe Anokye, Director General of the NCA, emphasised the importance of the ECOWAS Roaming framework, which allows citizens of participating countries to “roam like at home” when they travel across member states. He noted that while the framework had been agreed upon by various governments, its implementation was happening on a bilateral basis.
He said Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire were the first to operationalize the agreement last year.
“From today, our citizens can roam like at home when they visit Togo and Benin and vice versa,” Mr. Anokye announced. “We can now call, message, and use mobile data in our respective countries at no extra cost, thanks to the collaborative efforts of governments, communications regulators, and operators,” he added.
The Director General stressed that the initiative placed the consumer at its centre, ensuring that mobile service users benefitted from cost savings and an enhanced travel experience.
Commerce & tourism
He added that the project would promote commerce and tourism between the participating countries, making communication more seamless, accessible, and affordable. Mr. Anokye further noted that the NCA was committed to educating the public about the new free roaming arrangements, urging mobile network operators to launch campaigns to inform their customers.
He assured that the NCA would closely monitor the usage of ECOWAS roaming services, and gather consumer feedback to guide future regulatory actions. “This initiative is the fruit of teamwork—one of the core values of the National Communications Authority. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to members of the Implementation and Technical Teams from Ghana, Togo, and Benin, whose efforts ensured we overcame challenges to achieve this milestone,” he indicated.
The Director General also recognized the role of Mobile Network Operators in the three countries, commending their commitment to the successful implementation of the agreement. He extended his appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission for its significant role in crafting and implementing the framework.
Mr. Anokye acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, whose leadership and governmental support were key to the success of the project.
Metrics to gauge success
The Deputy Minister of Communications, speaking on behalf of sector minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, stressed the importance of establishing clear metrics to assess the success of the newly launched ECOWAS Free Roaming initiative between Ghana, Benin, and Togo.
She highlighted that the initiative’s success could only be determined by carefully tracking its progress, ensuring that the promises made to the citizens of participating countries are being met.
“Only by measuring our progress can we ensure that we are delivering on the promises made to our citizens and achieving the intended outcomes,” she stated. She further urged the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana, AECEP-Benin, and ARCEP Togo to use a set of key performance indicators to scientifically assess the initiative’s impact.
The proposed metrics included the reduction of roaming charges. She called on the three participating nations to ensure that consumers benefit from significant cost savings compared to pre-initiative rates. She also encouraged the implementation of a billing feedback message system to keep consumers informed of call, SMS, and data usage costs.
She mentioned an increase in the volume of voice calls, SMS, and data usage across borders would indicate the initiative’s success. By analyzing traffic data, the she explained, regulators could determine whether consumers were more comfortable using roaming services without the fear of excessive charges.
Task of NCA
She indicated that regular feedback from consumers was essential in measuring success. She tasked the NCA with conducting periodic surveys to gauge the level of satisfaction with the new roaming experience, as high satisfaction scores would be a critical marker of success.
She also outlined the importance of expanding the initiative to other ECOWAS member states, ensuring that more countries benefit from seamless communication and encouraging broader regional connectivity.
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