Asantehene urges Ghana Telecom to improve services

Kumasi, May 29, GNA - Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene has urged management of Ghana Telecom (GT) to provide Ghanaians with improved and excellent communication services to enhance the socio-economic development of the country.

He said provision of good communication and health facilities, social amenities like electricity and potable water would not only end the drift of people to urban areas, but also improve the living standards of Ghanaians.

The Asantehene made the call when Nana Antwi Boasiako, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GT led Mr Frede Haugen, the new Chief Executive Officer to pay a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi at the weekend.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said it was unfortunate that the 400,000 additional lines promised Ghanaians by the previous management could not materialize.

He urged the new management to come out with innovative ideas that would benefit Ghanaians, adding, "We expect GT to make profit for the government, which holds majority shares."

In addition, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said it should strategise and expand to meet the increasing challenges in the communications sector. Nana Antwi Boasiako, who is also the chief of Sekyedumase in the Ejura-Sekyedumase district, told the Asantehene that GT was progressing steadily, but hinted that a few problems and challenges existed. He said prominent among them were the issue of inter-connectivity between GT and other operators, particularly Areeba.

Nana Antwi Boasiako said the approved inter-connectivity rates by the National Communication Authority (NCA) were not favourable to GT since it paid about one-third of its total earnings to Areeba monthly. The Board Chairman therefore, appealed to the Asantehene to assist change the situation by making NCA work out an acceptable tariff system that would benefit all operators.

Mr Dickson Oduro Nyaning, Deputy Chief Executive Officer said GT paid four to fiv e million dollars monthly to Areeba which drained its coffers. Mr Haugen said GT mobile operations were functioning well but the fixed lines were not enjoying the same excellence. He succeeded Mr Oystein Bjorge whose contract ended recently.