APC’s Ayariga leads demo against MTN, others

Members of All People’s Congress (APC) are expected to embark on massive demonstration  dubbed “No Baga Wire” against the illegal deductions by the telecommunication companies in the country.

November 7, demonstration to be led by the APC Founder, Dr Hassan Ayariga, is expected to turn the Head Office of MTN to Tahrir Square.

Tahrir Square is a major public town square in downtown Cairo, Egypt.

The square has been the location and focus for political demonstrations in Cairo, most notably those that led to the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

The demonstration will start at  7:00am on November 7, through to 9th November 2019.

A press statement copied to 24NEWS.NEWS, maintains that “the three days demonstratation will feature prominent people in the society including the Leader and Founder of All People’s Congress (APC).”

The All People’s Congress (APC) last week issued a week ultimatum to the telecommuication companies in the country to stop the “illegal deductions and refund monies stolen from customers from 1st October 2019.”

“We are by this release urging the customers and the general public to join this exercise on the 7th of November 2019.”

The Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, last two weeks at a press conference said the telcos were being disingenuous in their handling of the CST increment which they hitherto did not deduct upfront from recharges made by consumers.

She made this comment after consumers of mobile telecommunications services said they were still being charged the 9% Communication Service Tax (CST) upfront on recharges, more than a week after the Ministry of Communication demanded a halt to the practice.

Telecommunication companies in Ghana this week resolved to stop the upfront deductions of the Communications Service Tax (CST).

This new development was announced in a statement issued by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications.

According to the Chamber, the companies will rather apply the tax through a tariff adjustment programme which will take effect on November 26, 2019.

The Chamber in the statement explained that despite the arrangement to stop upfront deductions, the GRA will still calculate and account for the CST as an upfront charge.

 The Chamber has also decided to give extra value to reward customers for their loyalty.

“Subsequently mobile operators will notify their customers individually in the ensuing days,” the statement said.

BY 24NEWS.NEWS//GHANA