The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu is demanding clarity on an alleged sale of the government of Ghana’s 30 percent stake in Vodafone Ghana.
According to him, the billion-dollar asset that belongs to Ghana has been sold on credit for a paltry US$100 million.
He lamented further over the telecom sector which used to be an avenue of revenue for the government but has withered away, demanding an explanation from the Communications Minister.
He said the Minster, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful must come and explain to the House.
“Mr. Speaker on my own accord, I want the Hon. Minister of Communications to come and respond to this House, whether it is true that Ghana’s 30 percent stake in Vodafone Ghana has been sold to the majority holder, on credit for less than US$100 million and what the state of that transaction is, as an economic transaction within the meaning of Article 185 of the 1992 Constitution and probably also to update this House on the withering away of Ghana’s telecom landscape and this trend,” he said on the floor of Parliament.
According to him the sector which used to bring in a lot of revenue for the state has been run down by the government.
In 2016 Ghana granted Vodafone International Holdings (VOD.L) approval to sell its 70% stake in Vodafone Ghana to Telecel Group, the country’s telecoms regulator said on Monday.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) approved the sale after Telecel submitted a revised financial and technical proposal in December. The NCA had turned down an initial sale plan submitted by Vodafone Ghana early last year as it did not meet required regulatory standards
The NCA said that the revised proposal provided more clarity on the funding required for the transaction and met the regulatory threshold.
