Accra (Greater Accra) 2nd June ?99

Mr John Dramani Mahama, Minister of Communications on Tuesday told Parliament that the Ghana Telecom was embarking on an expansion programme under which important outposts would enjoy telephone facilities.

He said Ghana Telecom has achieved almost 60 per cent coverage of district capitals in the provision of telephone facilities.

Mr Mahama, who is also Member for Bole, in an answer to a Parliamentary question during "Question Time" in the House said according to Ghana Telecom?s five-year business plan (1999-2003), Mamponteng would enjoy telephone facilities in 2000 with the provision of a 1000-line telephone exchange facility.

He was responding to Nana Asante-Frempong, NPP-Kwabre, who wanted to know how soon telephone facilities would be available at Mamponteng.

In an answer to Mr George Buadi, NDC-Amenfi West, who wanted to know when a telephone exchange would be installed at Wassa Akropong, Mr Mahama replied that Ghana Telecom has no immediate plans to install a telecommunication facility in the town.

He said, however, that Ghana Telecom intends to reach important outposts during the plan implementation by using Wireless Local Loop (WILL) system, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Subscriber Multiple Access Radio (MAR) technology.

Wassa Akropong, which is not listed in the five-year plan, would benefit from the package, he told the questioner.

Asked whether in view of its strategic position as the seat of the paramount chief, action could not be expedited to enable Wassa Akropong to enjoy telecommunication facilities earlier than the planned period, Mr Mahama assured the questioner that his concerns would be communicated to Ghana Telecom for consideration.

On the relationship between the sector Ministry and Ghana Telecom, Mr Mahama explained that the Ministry makes policies and supervises the telecommunications sector.

He said the Ministry outlines the telecommunication needs of the country and ensures that the sector achieves this vision.