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Ghana loses more than $20 million annually through illegal importation of fake mobile phones, Ludovic Falcou, Country Manager of Nokia has revealed.

The amount, he said, is lost through the non-payment of duties by the importers who smuggle them into the country.

Disclosing this to journalists at a get-together at the weekend, Mr. Falcou said the penetration of the fake devices impacts negatively on mobile phone companies in the country because it lowers their profits. 

He said if the trend persists, it could affect the industry since businesses may fold up and force investors to direct their investment elsewhere. 

Mr. Falcou said materials used in the production of fake phones were harmful to human health and the environment, adding that fake phones also pose serious threat to the country’s security since it could be used for criminal activities. 

“Fake phones could not be tracked by a service provider and it is such devices that criminals use to perpetuate their nefarious activities,” he said. 

Mr. Falcou warned that the proliferation of fake mobile phones could negatively affect the economy, and therefore called on the security agencies to be on the alert and nip the menace in the bud. 

He said the mobile phone industry could spur growth and development, if strict regulations were put in place. 

The Country Manager entreated consumers to purchase genuine phones to enjoy warranty and free after sales services, saying “though fake phones are cheap the cost of maintaining such phones is expensive than buying a genuine one.” 

He said research conducted on the mobile market indicated that Ghanaians were beginning to embrace genuine products, assuring that Nokia would continue to come out with quality and innovative products to meet the needs of consumers. 

Mr. Falcou disclosed that Nokia would come out with a new product next year, which would enable customers to read newspapers on their phones.

Source: Ghanaian Times