Ghana’s Government has decided to break the "duopoly" of Ghana Telecommunications (Ghana Telecom) and Western Telesystems Limited (WESTEL) in order to attract other investors into the telecommunications sector. It has therefore decided not to renew its agreements with the two companies when they expire in February next year. The agreement gives the two companies the sole right to operate as national telecommunications companies in the country.

Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku who made these known said the inefficiencies in service delivery and the high cost of tariff charges are unacceptable, for which reason there is no need for the renewal of the agreements.

“We are de-regularising the sector to make room for more operators as well as promote competition and improve efficiency,” he said. He noted that the country has reached a stage in its development process when it would require an efficient telecommunications sector.

“ This can be achieved if there is greater competition in the industry where the operators would be compelled to improve efficiency and probably charge competitive rates.” The Minister said complaints from the public about the two companies are enormous and these should not be allowed to persist.

He was speaking at a one-day forum, organized by the Ghana-German Economic Association in conjunction with the Ghana Export Promotion Council.

It was attended by 25 German experts in agriculture, information technology, banking and finance, energy, transport and communication as well as officials of the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Finance, Foreign Affairs and Energy.

Also present were representatives of the Private Enterprise Foundation, the Association of Ghana Industries, Ghana Free Zones Board and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For her part the Vice President of the Ghana-German Economic Association said businesses between the two countries has improved over the years and expressed the hope that it will grow further to the benefit of the two countries.

The German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Christian Nakonz said the delegation is eager to do business in Ghana and asked the Ghanaian business people to take advantage of its presence to form partnerships.