The Minority’s press conference and opposition to the 5G Spectrum deal are baffling and, frankly, nonsensical. It appears that this release was driven by a few Minority MPs eager to score political points without taking the time to read, research, or consult the companies directly involved, whose doors are always open for education and advice.
Here are the facts: The Government of Ghana plans to launch 5G operations in the country through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that includes the Government of Ghana, Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, and Tech Mahindra, along with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana. These entities are giants in telecommunications, rural telecom, and mobile networking, each with an impeccable track record and credibility. The SPV was formed with specific goals:
– Isolate financial risk and undertake specific projects
– Facilitate clear project financing
– Combine expertise and resources
– Leverage reputation and credibility
– Define clear project scope and management
– Implement effective risk management
– Structure financial arrangements efficiently
Despite being newly registered, the companies forming this SPV have long-standing histories and proven track records.
Questions for the Minority:
1. Do we have any Ghanaian company within the SPV with good track records and credibility? Yes, we do. So why hasn’t the Minority in Parliament sought clarification from this Ghanaian company?
2. Is the Minority unaware of the achievements and track records of these companies? A simple online search will provide comprehensive details. Why hasn’t the Parliamentary Committee on Communication issued a report on this?
3. Why hasn’t the Minority highlighted the benefits for Ghanaian youth from this 5G Spectrum deal, such as job creation, an enabling environment for business, affordable data access, development in rural areas, and broader digital payment platforms?
The Minority frequently discusses the high unemployment rate and economic hardships, yet this 5G initiative was part of our 2020 manifesto promise to enhance digitalization with 4G and 5G internet access.
It’s disappointing that some members of the Minority have rushed to the media for attention instead of reaching out to the right persons for accurate information. This behavior shows a disregard for the youth and the country’s progress.
Recall that Manasseh Azure once claimed that a contract was awarded to a week-old company, a claim now championed by Ato Forson and his team. Remember, Manasseh also falsely accused John Mahama’s SADA initiative of corruption, which he later admitted was a joke, contributing to misplaced public trust and votes.
I hope the press release does not represent all the Minority in Parliament but rather a few individuals with personal interests. It is a big shame for Ghana, particularly the so-called few in the Minority.
