• MCUG Accuses Communication Ministry of Siding With Platforms Over Ghanaian Couriers
• Courier Certification Under Fire as Union Questions Government’s Regulatory Motives
• Are Ghanaian Couriers Being Forced to Certify Without Benefits While Platforms Go Untouched
The Motorcycle Couriers Union of Ghana (MCUG) has raised critical concerns over the current courier certification and regulatory framework being pursued by the Ministry of Communication, calling for a policy review that places the welfare of Ghanaian couriers above business interests.
In a formal communication addressed to the Minister for Communication, Hon. Sam George, the union acknowledged ongoing stakeholder engagements and commended the efforts of the Postal and Courier Regulatory Commission for addressing some courier-related grievances. However, MCUG insists that key policy promises and constitutional principles are being overlooked.
According to the union, a major source of concern is an apparent shift in policy direction. MCUG referenced a public commitment made by the Minister on September 9, 2025, in which couriers were assured that obtaining certification would come with tangible benefits, including the opportunity to engage digital delivery platforms directly. The union now questions what has changed since that assurance and why certification appears to be enforced without corresponding benefits.
MCUG also questioned the relevance and authority of the regulatory body if it lacks the mandate to set enforceable rules, guide platform behavior, or intervene meaningfully in platform-courier relations. The union argues that regulation should go beyond issuing certificates and instead shape fair operational standards across the sector.
Emphasizing democratic governance, MCUG stated that laws must serve citizens rather than businesses. The union contends that current efforts to compel couriers to obtain certificates—despite legal limitations—risk undermining this principle. Instead of enforcement, MCUG is urging the Ministry to make certification attractive by attaching clear, practical value to it.
“The value of the certificate is everything,” the union noted, arguing that without benefits such as guaranteed platform access, improved working conditions, or reduced commission charges, certification becomes an empty requirement rather than a tool for empowerment.
The union further grounded its argument in constitutional principles, stressing that businesses do not enjoy absolute rights under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. While companies are protected by law, those protections are limited, and the rights of citizens must take precedence. MCUG questioned how the Ministry can claim it cannot interfere with platform operations while simultaneously intervening in the economic choices and rights of individual couriers.
MCUG also raised broader governance questions about state intervention. Should couriers collectively act to protect their interests in ways that affect platform operations, the union asked whether the Ministry’s response would prioritize Ghanaian workers or corporate platforms.
In conclusion, MCUG called on the Ministry of Communication to urgently revisit the courier certification framework, align it with constitutional values, and ensure that regulation delivers real benefits to those who power Ghana’s growing digital delivery economy.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue but made it clear that fairness, dignity, and meaningful inclusion of couriers must remain at the center of policy decisions affecting the sector.
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