SWITCHING OFF PHONES IS NOT THE ANTIDOTE Technology, as we all might have known, is a dynamic system which quality keeps on improving day-in and day out and therefore should not be expected to provide the desire quality at a go. Can you still remember the kind of mobile phones or telephones we were using when the telecommunication technology was first introduced in Ghana and the number of trials one has to make before a call could go through? And can you now see the disparities then and now? This is a clear scenario of the dynamism of technology. Apart from the time space technology needs to improve upon quality, it also needs some unique resources and favourable laws (supports) from all stakeholders in order to attain the quality we desire. We should not pretend not to know that the level of technological quality that the developed and some developing countries have had over the years was not achieved on a silver platter or at a go, it took them some number of years and well-laid down strategies, before they are able to get to where they are currently. Ghana is not exception and we should therefore not expect the service providers to perform a “miracle” in our case. Do not attack me here. I am not saying consumers should not draw service providers’ attention to the poor quality of service they provide. No! What I mean is that they should be given a reasonable time frame and the needed support from all stakeholders. Have we ever bothered to find out from Vodafone the number of years and the quantum of resources they invested before they are able to attain the quality of services they are providing to United Kingdom (UK) and the other countries? What about the other telecommunication networks? Yes! the consumer has a right and it is also good for consumers to express their dissatisfaction towards a particular product, but not all the actions are result-oriented, and therefore it is much prudent for one not to waste time on those actions. In the context of this problem, the putting off of phones will cause more harm than good. There are other better means of calling the service providers to be more responsible than this proposed action by Kofi Kapito, the Managing Director of Customer Protection Agency, Ghana. The consumer has the prerogative power to change or sue a provider for poor or harmful service provided. One can also control his or her expenditure on a network. The keen competition in the sector is also a good measure to promulgate the service providers to improve upon the quality of their services. These among others I believe would go a long way of warning the providers of consumers’ dissatisfaction. The question I asked myself before writing this article was, “Did Mr Kapito really considered the cost of this action to the country and the world at large? Well, in my research and analysis on this issue, I found out that if this action is carried out and is fully participated for the stipulated duration, it will reduce the country’s estimated revenue for the year by 0.068% (ie Ghc 6.8 million) on only the telecommunication industry. This means that government projects somewhere are going to be hindered hence having an adverse effect on the country’s development. It will also reduce the service providers estimated revenue for the year by 0.07% which in the long run will affect their financial ability to improve upon their services. It will also negatively affect their social responsibilities to the country. Have we also taking the pains to quantify the cost it will have on businesses in and outside the country? Although this action is voluntary, if it is fully participated, businesses in the country will severely suffer in their operations and revenue. This will definitely distort production of businesses and the country at large, and the other consequences that follow this are numerous. Apart from the financial costs the country and the world at large will suffer, we should not also forget the social cost it will have on the country. Can you imagine how one will feel if he or she is in a serious problem and needs assistance and to call someone who could offer the help and to find out the person’s phone is off? Oh my God! What a trauma. What about the social vices like armed robbery that the action could promote? These are just a few of the numerous harms this proposed witching off phones on May 27 2010 from 6am to 12pm could cause to the country. I therefore call on all patriotic Ghanaians and expatriates to join me to put an immediate stop to this jeopardous action to be carried out. Ndanyenbah Tijani Yakubu Shalom533 at yahoo.com O.L.L Girls’ Se. High School