The Ministry of Communications and Digital Technology has announced that it will not renew its contract with Kelni GVG, the private company managing Ghana’s telecom traffic monitoring system, citing concern over the escalating cost of operations.
Speaking during a press briefing in Accra, the Minister Samuel Nartey George revealed that monitoring expenses now account for 84 per cent of revenues generated under the Common Monitoring Platform (CMP), a significant increase from 28 per cent at its inception in 2018.
“This contract has become unsustainable for the state. We are spending more on monitoring revenues than we are retaining. This is unacceptable.”
The CMP was initially designed to track international inbound calls and prevent revenue leakage within the telecommunications sector, but growing operational costs have prompted the government to reconsider its approach.
As part of the transition plan, the National Communications Authority (NCA) will take over telecom revenue monitoring, ensuring a seamless shift in operations.
Sam George confirmed that the NCA has been instructed to conduct an operational audit of the CMP before assuming full management responsibilities.
The $89 million contract with Kelni GVG has faced scrutiny since its inception, with policy think tank IMANI Africa and Parliament raising concern about its procurement process and efficiency.
Sam George assured that the NCA will be held to strict accountability standards in its new oversight role, signaling a shift towards a more transparent and cost-effective monitoring system for Ghana’s telecom sector.
