AMA calls off operation....

...to close down operations of Ghana Telecom

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly- AMA says it has suspended its planned intention to close Ghana Telecom for non-payment of taxes owed the assembly in respect of the citing of its public pay phone booths.

This follows GT's part payment of its indebtedness to the assembly, hours after it issued the threat of closure. A release from the AMA says the exercise will however resume in the New Year if Ghana Telecom and other business still refuse to honour their tax obligations to the assembly.

It explained that the exercise is part of an ongoing administrative exercise against businesses and companies who have not honoured their tax obligations to the assembly. The AMA's threat of a closure led to reactions from many quarters, who interpreted the threat to mean closure of GT's entire business.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) described the threat as a ploy to disrupt the electoral process by denying the EC communication links to its various regional and district offices during the run-off.

The Minister for National Security, Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, asked the AMA to reconsider its decision to close down the GT phone booths. He noted that while the AMA’s actions may be justified, it would have serious security implications at a time when security agencies expect the public to assist with information to apprehend criminals.