Vodafone says ready to re-engage with government

Accra, Nov. 5, GNA - Vodafone said on Thursday that it welcomed the Government of Ghana's statement on the Report of the Inter-Ministerial Review Committee and was pleased to re-engage with the Government to secure the long term future of Vodafone GT.

A news release from Vodafone received by the GNA in Accra said the Government's public commitment to Vodafone GT allowed the company to move forward and focus on its goal of providing world-class services to Ghanaians.

"Vodafone looks forward to a constructive re-engagement with the Government to find ways that Vodafone can support Ghana's goals even more in future.

"Vodafone is pleased to note the Government's statement that it will not abrogate or renegotiate the agreement."

The statement dated November 4 said since taking control, Vodafone had already invested GH¢600 million in strengthening the company and improving the quality of its services.

"Vodafone is committed to further investment in the company and its operations, including expanding and upgrading the National Communications Backbone Company.

"Vodafone has already extended the fibre network and plans to invest further to complete the northern ring."

Vodafone said it conducted its affairs to the highest ethical standards of corporate behaviour and the company had applied these standards to all its dealings in Ghana, and would continue to do so.

Vodafone GT is a partnership between Vodafone and the Government.

Vodafone bought 70 per cent of GT at 900 US dollars last year.

A government statement last Tuesday said after a careful review of the findings of the review committee, it had accepted its recommendation to re-engage with the management of Vodafone International and ensure that there is compliance with the country's laws.

This process of re-engagement is without prejudice to any legal suits pending before the courts of Ghana.

The statement said the re-engagement would also include issues relating to the operation of the National Fibre Optic Backbone which is considered a strategic national asset by many Ghanaians.

The National Communications Backbone Company (NCBC) which is managing the Fibre Optic Backbone will enable Government promote its key ICT policies and must be an open-access network that serves the whole country with competitively-priced services that will enable the rapid development of e-Government, BPO and other ICT Industries and Services.

"By this action, Government is looking forward to the realization of the true value of the fibre optic backbone and a consideration of its policy objectives in order to arrive at an outcome that benefits the people of Ghana."

The statement said as recommended by the Committee, Vodafone GT would be expected to provide detailed reporting requirements based on audited accounting and reporting principles for the attention of the re-engagement team.

Also to be considered is the possible return of some GT investments including landed properties and the Telecom Emporium to the Government of Ghana.

"Government would also ensure a conclusion to the processes that have already started for the decoupling of the Ghana Telecom University from the rest of Vodafone GT's operations."

The statement said government had also taken note of the Committee's findings in relation to the appalling financial state of GT before the SPA which the Committee attributed to gross mismanagement, financial malpractices and irregularities by Telenor/Telecom Management Partners (TMP) and later the three-member Interim Management Committee (IMC).

"Government will institute investigations into and an audit into the management of GT by the TMP and the IMC led by Dickson Oduro Nyaning."