The Communications Minister-nominee, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has downplayed the effect her legal tussle with Zain Ghana may have on possible dealings with Airtel Ghana if she is passed as the Communications Minister.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful worked with Zain but was dismissed by the company on January, 8, 2009.
During her vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee, she explained that her dismissal was because the company viewed her media engagements to be an embarrassment to it.
In lieu of Zain’s reasoning, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful said she felt her rights had been infringed upon, thus, she dragged her former employer to the Human Rights court.
“Since they ascribed a reason for that, I took them to the Human Rights court saying they had infringed on my right of free expression and association. So it is purely a human rights matter. It has nothing to do with the work they do or their professionalism.”
Zain no longer in Ghana
The question posed to Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful was in reference to the link between Airtel Ghana and Zain. Zain’s parent company, MTC International Corporation sold its holdings in Africa to Airtel.
She however assured that, the issues notwithstanding, moves are in place to ensure an amicable end to the legal tussle.
“There have been moves to settle that matter now and I believe we are close to a conclusion on that matter.”
“Zain is no longer working in this country. The actors have changed. The company has changed. The nature of the case is personal and not professional and I will deal with them in a manner which is in the best interests of this country.”
“I don’t see any potential problems or conflicts particularly if the moves initiated to settle this matter out of court also come to fruition sooner rather than later,” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful said.
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana