Expansion of Telecommunication to Nkwanta in 2005

Accra, Feb 12, GNA- The Ghana Telecom (GT) would expand its fixed network facility to provide a minimum of 400,000 lines in Nkwanta and its surrounding communities by 2005.

The facility would be extended to every town with a Senior Secondary School, Teacher Training College or a University. Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Communication told Parliament on Thursday when answering questions on the floor of the House. Mr. Gershon Gbediame NDC-Nkwanta wanted to know from the Minister when telephone facilities would be expanded to Nkwanta and its surrounding communities in the Volta Region.

The Minister said in line with the expansion an agreement has been reached between Telenor Management Partner (TMP) of Norway, Government of Ghana and Ghana Telecom (GT), which would facilitate extension of telephone services to Nkwanta and other communities.

Mr. Kan-Dapaah said the telephone facility in the Agona Nkwanta and its environs in the Ahanta West District would be accorded with the same fixed network, which would be provided by TMP and GT in 2005. On the extension of telecommunication facilities to the Upper Manya Krobo constituency, the Minister said an exchange building has already been constructed and 90 per cent of civil works for the Customer Access Network (CAN) has been carried out at Odumase Krobo. Mr. Kan-Dapaah explained that the project was suspended at a point in time due to lack of fund, however, switching equipment for the exchange has been ordered under the 150 million-dollar Alcatel funding facility.

He said GT has also signed an agreement with a vendor to complete the remaining CAN project.