Accra, July 28, GNA - The Ghana Trades Union (GTUC) on Monday called on government to withdraw the agreement that is before Parliament on the proposed sale/purchase of 70 per cent Ghana Telecom (GT) shares to Vodafone International Holdings. The GTUC, in a statement signed in Accra by Acting Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Asamoah called on government to subject the proposed agreement to broad public debate and consultations on available options. The statement said Ghana TUC wishes to express its concern about the sale of GT shares, not only because of its implications for the potential job losses but, more importantly, because GT is a strategic national asset and like other state assets, government should not offer GT shares for sale as if GT was created solely for financial gains without any consideration whatsoever for its social and national security implications.

GT was established in 1995 to provide telecommunication services to the people of Ghana in all the regions, districts and communities. The service being provided by GT is not only for financial gains but also it is a very important social service which Ghanaians expect government to provide in return for the taxes they pay, it said. "We have, on previous occasions, resisted the sale of important strategic public assets, including Ghana Commercial Bank and Agricultural Development Bank on the same grounds. "Like these banks, GT has branches in all parts of the country serving the purpose for which it was established- to provide telecommunications services to Ghanaians in all parts of the country). GT currently employs 4,200 workers across the country.

"Multinational companies, like Vodafone, come in for profit and not to fulfill social obligations. We are aware that in the proposed deal, the Ghana Telecom University College is to be hived off GT within 12 months of the signing of sale/purchase agreement. This is a clear indication of the company's lack of commitment to social responsibility, in this case, the training of Ghanaians to take control of the telecommunications sector. It is very likely that the privatization of GT will also lead to mass lay-offs. "We are not convinced that Vodafone, or any other foreign private company, will meet the social obligation of providing communication services to the Ghanaian people in all parts of the country.

"We note in particular the lack of transparency in the deal, to the extent that even the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) of Ghana TUC which represents GT workers was neither properly informed nor involved in the discussions and negotiations leading to the sale of the shares." Ghana TUC also expressed concern that the proposed sale is taking place just about five months to the end of the term of office of the present Government. "Ghana TUC is of view that it is inappropriate for a government which has barely five months to leave office to hurriedly sell such an important and strategic state asset. "There have been similar cases in the West Africa sub-region where governments have had cause to reverse agreements their predecessors had entered into.

"Ghana TUC wishes to express its strong opposition to the sale of GT to any foreign private interest. "In our considered opinion the sale of such an important strategic national asset should be subjected to thorough public debate so that some form of national consensus can be forged before a definitive decision is taken. "Government has not subjected this deal to public debate. But such an important deal cannot be shrouded in secrecy. "In an election year such as this, we do not expect government to enter into such deals which have the potential to spark controversy and social tension. Ghana TUC, it said, noted the need for recapitalization of GT, which is the argument government is using as basis for selling its shares in GT, but it also believed that there are other equally, if not more, viable options that can be explored to ensure that GT remains a public enterprise.

"Government should therefore, explore other options which will ensure that GT remains viable not only economically but at the same time be able to provide communication services to the people of Ghana. In our view this goal can be achieved only if GT remains a public asset, it said.