Vodafone Ghana has rejected claims that it is being forced by government to handover some core assets including the Ghana Telecom University.
[contextly_sidebar id=”6oy6vruJTwCG8yWtkpV0V9Phl6QqhE0F”]According to Vodafone, the handing over is being done out of a good gesture in the interest of the country.
The Education Ministry in a statement earlier announced the taking over of the Ghana Telecom University as part of the transfer of assets under the Government of Ghana/Vodafone/Ghana Telecom Re-Engagement Agreement signed in 2012.
In an interview with Citi Business News the Corporate Communications Manager of Vodafone Ghana, Ebenezer Amankwah dispelled rumors of being pressured to handover the assets.
“As you are probably aware in 2008, when we took over Ghana Telecom for a fee of 900 million dollars, the acquisition came with some assets that we inherited from Ghana Telecom. It included some landed properties, some acres of lands and also the Ghana Telecom University. Over the past six years, we have reviewed our situation as a company, and we have also reviewed some of our assets. We have also identified some of our assets which are non-core to our operations as a telecommunications company. These are the assets that we have decided to give back to government to continue the developmental agenda for this country.” Ebenezer Amankwah explained.
He added, “Our take over has brought great dividend for the country and its people and for us as investors … we find this as a step to the mandate of remaining relevant in this country.”
On whether Vodafone stands to gain any monetary benefit from the hand over, Mr. Amankwaah responded in the negative. He observed,
“It doesn’t come with any monetary gains, there are no underlying or hidden motives elsewhere. It is just an offer that Vodafone has made to government because we know government also has a 30% share of Vodafone Ghana.”
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana