The Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, has criticized Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation Minister, Samuel Nartey George, for ordering a halt to the enforcement of regulations on unlicensed delivery riders by the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC).
In a Facebook post on August 23, 2025, Prof. Prempeh warned that such political interference undermines the very purpose of establishing regulators.
“What is the point of setting up a regulatory body with the authority to regulate and enforce a regime of measures and related sanctions in a designated industry if the minister or some other politician can simply issue directives to countermand an enforcement action by the regulator? Does the applicable law give him the power summarily to countermand the regulator’s enforcement action this way?” he asked.
He further argued that ministers are meant to provide broad policy direction, not intervene in regulatory enforcement on a case-by-case basis. “Once a minister intervenes improperly this way, the regulator is effectively rendered useless. Politics remains the number one obstacle to building a Rule of Law culture in this town. We are the ultimate victims and losers,” Prof. Prempeh added.
The controversy stems from an incident near the National Theatre in Accra, where a viral video showed delivery riders clashing with PCSRC officials and police officers during a seizure of unlicensed motorcycles. The backlash prompted Minister George to step in.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 21, the minister acknowledged that while the PCSRC was operating within its legal mandate, the exercise lacked adequate engagement with stakeholders.
“I have directed this afternoon an immediate halt to the ongoing enforcement action by the Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission. The action, in conjunction with the Ghana Police, is necessary to bring sanity and order to the use of motorbikes for delivery purposes as stipulated by law. However, I believe the Commission needs to do more stakeholder engagements and public education before resuming enforcement. We must enforce the law with a humane face to it,” Sam George said.
The standoff highlights a growing tension between regulatory independence and political oversight in Ghana’s digital and logistics economy, a sector that has seen explosive growth with the rise of e-commerce.
While consumer protection and safety remain priorities, analysts note that striking the right balance between strict enforcement and inclusive dialogue will be key to sustaining investor confidence and ensuring fair competition in Ghana’s courier and delivery market.
