PCSRC Order: Why the Regulator’s Authority is Questioned
The Ghanaian tech and regulatory landscape is again facing scrutiny. Professor H Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), has criticized Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, for ordering the immediate suspension of the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC) and Ghana Police’s enforcement actions against unlicensed delivery riders. This intervention by the Minister has sparked a debate about the role and authority of regulatory bodies in Ghana’s digital economy, specifically within the growing courier services sector.
Halting Enforcement: Undermining the Regulator’s Mandate?
Professor Prempeh, in a Facebook post dated August 23, 2025, questioned the Minister’s authority to halt the PCSRC’s activities. The PCSRC and the Ghana Police were in the process of enforcing regulations against delivery riders operating without proper licenses. Professor Prempeh’s comment highlights the fundamental principle of regulatory autonomy and the potential implications of political interference. His assertion that the minister’s actions undermine the very purpose of the regulatory body – suggesting a lack of respect for the rule of law – is a serious criticism within the context of Ghana’s tech landscape. The core question arising is: what is the utility of setting up a regulatory body if its core functions can be halted at the discretion of a Minister?
The dispute draws attention to the importance of independent regulation in fostering trust and accountability, especially crucial for a growing sector like courier services in Ghana, which are vital for e-commerce and digital innovation.
Keywords
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