By Philip Antoh
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has raised alarm over the persistent poor telecommunications services that continue to disrupt business operations within the Abossey Okai commercial community.
Speaking on the matter, the President of the Association noted that most of its members depend on MTN Ghana as their primary network for daily business transactions, while others subscribe to alternative providers.
Regrettably, recurring network challenges keep undermining the operations of businesses that rely heavily on these essential communication services.
In a statement issued by the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Takyie Addo, the Association stressed that Abossey Okai ranks among Ghana’s foremost automotive spare parts trading hubs — linking thousands of dealers, customers, importers, suppliers, clearing agents and business partners both locally and internationally.
Reliable telecommunications, it noted, are therefore indispensable to the smooth functioning of businesses in this vital commercial centre.
However, persistent network interruptions, poor call quality and unreliable internet connectivity have made it increasingly difficult for traders to receive calls, communicate with clients, negotiate deals, respond to enquiries and coordinate day-to-day business activities.
The Association emphasised that these challenges are far more than a mere inconvenience. They strike directly at the livelihoods of members, producing missed business opportunities, lost customers, delayed transactions and potential financial losses.
The situation is even more worrying, the Association said, at a time when traders are striving to bounce back from earlier economic hardships and capitalise on the relative stability of the Ghanaian cedi.
Unreliable telecom services, it argued, only pile additional pressure on businesses already labouring to survive and grow.
According to the Association, a major commercial hub like Abossey Okai which contributes significantly to Ghana’s automotive and trading economy deserves reliable, efficient and uninterrupted telecommunications services. Its members, it added, pay for these services and are entitled to quality in return.
The Association’s Demands
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has, therefore, called on MTN Ghana and other telecommunications operators to immediately investigate the persistent network challenges affecting Abossey Okai and its surrounding business communities, take urgent, concrete steps to improve network coverage, call quality and internet connectivity and provide an official explanation for the recurring network interruptions and poor service delivery.
Others are for the network operators to present a clear action plan and timeline for achieving lasting improvements in network performance and also engage the Association directly to address the concerns of affected businesses and work toward a sustainable solution.
Call for Ministerial and Regulatory Intervention
The Association has also appealed to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations and the National Communications Authority (NCA) to urgently step into the matter.
It expects the Ministry to provide policy-level attention and coordination, while the NCA as the industry’s regulator should investigate the reported service challenges, assess network quality across the affected commercial areas, and hold telecommunications operators accountable to their obligations to consumers.
Regulatory intervention, the Association believes, is essential to protecting consumers and guaranteeing that businesses receive the quality of telecom services they deserve.
Notice of Intended Legal Action
The President of the Association has formally served a legal warning on MTN Ghana through the Association’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), signalling its readiness to consider appropriate legal action should the concerns remain unresolved.
The Association made it clear that safeguarding the commercial interests, livelihoods and welfare of its members remains its foremost responsibility.
While it remains open to constructive engagement with MTN Ghana and other operators, the Association warned it would not hesitate to pursue every appropriate lawful measure if the situation is not satisfactorily addressed.
The Association, therefore, urged the management of MTN Ghana, other network operators, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations and the National Communications Authority to treat the matter with the urgency and seriousness it demands.
Reliable telecommunications services, it maintained, are fundamental to business growth, economic development and the effective running of Ghana’s commercial sector.
“The Abossey Okai business community deserves better, and our members deserve telecommunications services they can depend on,” the statement concluded.