Mr Biram Fall, the Regional General Manager of QNET in Sub-Sahara Africa, has called on the Ghanaian Parliament to help formulate laws that will regulate the Direct Selling industry to prevent exploitation of Ghanaian citizens.
The Regional General Manager of QNET made this known at the media launch of QNET ‘Mama Campaign’ in Accra. He indicated that the new campaign is an anti-scam initiative aimed at educating the general public on the complexities of the direct selling industry.
Mr Fall indicated that though the direct selling business module has been practiced in Africa for about five decades, there are still no laws regulating its practices.
The Regional Manager averred that even though direct selling is a global industry worth over $200 billion dollars, there is very little understanding in Ghana about how the business operates, thereby, generating disputes between stakeholders and industry players.
Mr Fall took his time to educate the Ghanaian populace about direct selling and how they can take advantage of it to make money. He moreover, highlighted the importance of direct selling.
“Direct selling is the selling of products in a non-retail setting. For example, at home, online, or other venues that are not a store. It eliminates middlemen who are involved in distribution, such as: wholesalers and regional distribution centers.”
Mr Biram Fall
Lack of Knowledge, the Cause of Exploitation of Ghanaians
Mr Fall noted that the lack of knowledge and regulations of the business has led to exploitation of some innocent Ghanaians through dubious means.
“Direct selling hit Africa some 50 years ago and surprisingly, none of our African countries, nor the governments and law makers have sufficiently looked into this industry and decide to vote laws and find ways of defining it and the roles of every player in this industry.”
Mr Biram Fall
Mr Fall disclosed that the new campaign focuses on reinforcing the code of ethics among Independent Representatives (IR) and engaging key stakeholders, including government officials on scams to look out for while establishing the legitimacy of QNET as a sustainable business.
The Regional Manager stated that the company’s direct business model allows customers to market products by registering as Independent Representatives (IR) who earn commission upon successful sales.
Mr. Fall disclosed that there has been less than five percent of IR’s who had been involved in malpractices.
Responding to allegations of fraud against the company, Mr Fall noted that the company has acted by carrying out internal investigations, which has often led to the blocking of accounts or suspension of individuals, and in extreme cases, the arrest of culprits.
Unlike Ponzi schemes that focus on the recruitment of persons who commit financial resources, direct selling, Mr Fall stated created genuine opportunities for individuals to sustain livelihoods through the sale of products for commission.
“QNET is not an investment company, and it does not support any get-rich quick schemes. Rather it is an e-commerce based direct selling company.”
Mr Biram Fall
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