Operators of delivery services will no longer be permitted to use personnel who are not registered with the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission.

This is the latest directive from the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation to protect unsuspecting customers from e-commerce fraud and other forms of digital fraud.

In a statement signed by the Sector Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, such businesses have a deadline of January 24 2024 to comply or face the law.

“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 African Continental Free Trade Agreement Number by December 19, 2023”.

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation observed that many logistical companies and digital platform operators are flouting the law by facilitating courier services without complying with the country's licensing regulations. 

According to the Ministry, the continued operation of these digital platforms, and delivery and courier services, without licensing and proper oversight contravenes the Electronic Transactions Act and the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission Act.

To 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.

With increasing focus on the cross-border e-commerce objectives of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement 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.