Takoradi, May 14, GNA - Ghana Telecom (GT) would soon embark on a programme to extend its services to the northern parts of the Western Region (W/R) as a means to open up the area to enhance the socio-economic activities of the people.

The Company has also drawn up an elaborate expansion and modernisation of its services to make it not only a service provider but also a "solution provider" for its customers.

Mr Emmanuel Adusei Essel, Western Regional Manager of GT said this at a press briefing at Takoradi on Tuesday as part of activities to mark this year's World Telecommunication Day in the region. The Day, which is being observed from May 12 to 17, is on the theme: "Connecting persons with disabilities - ICT opportunities for all".

An estimated 500 million Ghana cedis would be spent on the expansion programme which Mr Essel said; "will hopefully cover considerable portions of the region". This he said includes the procurement of equipment to provide both voice and data communication services at Sefwi and Wassa, modernisation its facilities at Enchi and the extension of customer service points at Axim.

During the week, a new pay-point at Effiakuma near Takoradi would be commissioned.

Mr Essel noted that in spite of the challenges that GT faced, it was able to provide excellent services to varied customers during the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2008 soccer fiesta.

He said the Company was embarking on "service marketing approach" in the best interest of its customers and the general public. He expressed concern about criminals who stole the Company's cables resulting in the disruption of its services and that it severely affected the activities of private, public institutions and other business concerns.

Mr Kwasi Kyei, GT Commercial Manager enumerated some of the usefulness of fixed telephone lines and advised the public to take advantage of the promotion exercise to acquire fixed lines. He disclosed that since the promotion exercise began recently more than 600 people have acquired fixed telephones lines bringing the number of customers to 19,000.

He said GT had adopted an innovation whereby customers could access their bills on their mobile phones.

Mrs Victoria Osafo, GT Regional Public Relations Manager said activities planned to mark the World Communication Day would include a float through the principal streets of Sekondi and Takoradi, football gala and a "management change-over" where top management personnel would move to the counters to serve customers and have direct interaction with them.