Ursula Directs Logistical Firms, Digital Platform Operators To Register Couriers

The Minister for Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Erkuful has given logistical companies and digital platform operators up until December 19 to register couriers operating on their networks with the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC).

Registrants will be bestowed an e-certificate and an AfCFTA Number, she has noted.

It comes on the back of observed non-compliance with the Electronic Transactions Act of 2008, Act 772 and the Postal & Courier Services Regulatory Commission Act 01 2003, Act 649.

“The Ministry has therefore directed all such companies and the couriers/drivers operating on their networks to register with the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC) for an e-certificate and for an AfCFTA Number by December 19th, 2023.”

She noted that after the timeline elapses, no new goods delivery and courier service provider can register with any digital platform or delivery service without a valid PSCRC e-certificate.

Meanwhile, existing operators including Uber, Bolt, Yango, Glovo, fyi, Tonaton, Maxmartghana.com, and all e-commerce and e-delivery platforms and companies have until January 24th, 2024 to register.

Aim
The move is in line with increasing focus on the cross-border e-commerce objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the growing use of digital platforms to facilitate internal trade, the Minister noted.

“This move to stricter law enforcement is further to earlier communications to these companies and other stakeholders in August last year. With increasing focus on the cross-border e-commerce objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the growing use of digital platforms to facilitate internal trade, it has become even more imperative to streamline this sector to ensure unimpeded growth.

“The government of Ghana has therefore launched the AfCFTA Hub to streamline and simplify licensing as part of the enforcement effort to ensure smooth legal compliance and to combat fraud. The AfCFTA Hub is endorsed by the AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union 4D, and AfroChampions.”

Additionally, she said it will curb the growing menace of e-commerce fraud and crimes committed by unlicensed, unregistered drivers, courier operators and delivery personnel, these businesses will no longer be permitted to continue using unregistered personnel to deliver goods, as this contributes to fraud and customer abuse.