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TUC
calls for withdrawal of sale agreement on GT
Accra, July 28, Ghanadot/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.
GNA
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