To demonstrate its commitment to the ICT industry, the Ministry of Communications together with stakeholders of the industry has come out with a draft for an electronic transaction bill which will remove and prevent barriers to electronic communications and transactions, Gilbert Boyefio and Michael Write report.

This was disclosed by a Deputy Minister of Communications, Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, at the launch of E-Mart Ghana Dot Com, in Accra Tuesday. He said the promulgation of this law will be beneficial to the operation of e-commerce in the country.

According to the Deputy Minister, the bill also seeks to promote legal certainty and confidence in electronic communications and transactions in addition to developing a safe, secure and effective environment for the consumer, businesses and government to conduct and use electronic transactions.

Mr Ntim said E-Mart Ghana Dot Com as an electronic market is one of the surest ways of facing the challenge of poverty reduction in Ghana. He said this is because companies can now expand their markets and profit margins, adding, "This will mean higher profits and job creation which results in multiplier effect that positively affects a lot of sector.”

He stated that Ghanaian businesses, from large to micro scale, now have a cheaper means of advertising and expanding sales volumes. He said government on its part will continue to encourage the private sector development agenda and will support any business that will create employment and wealth in order to push Ghana ahead.

He added that E-Mart Ghana Dot Com will be very effective in government's efforts at making Ghana the gateway to West Africa and the hub of economic activities.

Giving an overview of E-Mart Ghana Dot Com, the Board Chairman, Abu Millah, said E-Mart Ghana Dot Com is a one-shop electronic market for all kinds of goods and services in Ghana. He said it allows businesses to expand their client base by providing a world wide market exposure.

 According to Mr Ntim, e-markets are becoming a major trend and economies the world over are putting plans in place to propel the growth of trade and commerce thus making it easier for both suppliers and consumers to interact more conveniently and cost effectively.

He said with the advancements in knowledge, transportation systems, communication and other infrastructure, new businesses spring up very fast all over the world, and all target the same customer groups. He said this has brought about a “buyer"s market situation” with several businesses offering similar goods and services to a limited group of customers.  According to Mr Ntim, e-market is a universal solution to the above challenges.