Apam, May 19, GNA - A chief has appealed to the National Media Commission (NMC) to compel mobile telecommunication service providers to make customers have value for their money.

Obrifo Ahunaku Ahor Ankobea III, the Paramount Chief of Gomoa Akyempem Traditional Area in the Central Region, told the GNA in an interview ON Sunday that services rendered by the providers were an insult to the integrity of Ghanaians.

He said services, especially those rendered by the Media

Telecommunications Network (MTN), were a disgrace to the country

and urged NMC to place a ban on promotion and sponsorship

programmes by service providers until they improve their services to

customers. "It seems telecommunication service providers are in the country

to boost their ego through promotions but not to render

telecommunication services to the people. The best means of

promoting one's business is to render quality service to customers,"

he said. Obrifo Ahunaku Ahor Ankobea said investors and tourists who

visit the country and would like to use cellular phones to communicate

would be disappointed "as the services are nothing to write home

about." He said escalating transport fares enjoined Ghanaians to rely on

cellular phones. The nation, therefore, needs a reliable

telecommunications network but not the type being rendered at the

moment. The chief recalled the time NMC placed a temporary ban on the sale

of sim cards and said their services improved a little but when the ban

was lifted the services had gone worst. "It is irritating making calls, especially on MTN these days, as it takes a longer time before the call goes through. The popular response of switched off or out of coverage area greets a caller even if the

person you are calling is standing besides you," he said and appealed

to the NMC to save the people from exploitation.