Communications and Digitalization Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has shot down allegations made by investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni about the contract awarded to Next Gen Infraco Ltd, the company handling the 5G network rollout.
Manasseh Azure Awuni in a Facebook post, highlighted that the company was incorporated less than a week before President Akufo-Addo granted executive approval for the deal.
He maintained that the timing raises eyebrows, considering the significant nature of the contract.
But responding to the allegation. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful explained that the company was specifically created for this purpose because there was no existing neutral infrastructure company capable of handling the rollout at that time.
At a press briefing on the 5G rollout, she elaborated on the government’s rationale for this decision.
She noted that auctioning the contract was not pursued due to previous experiences and setbacks that had hindered the rollout of the country’s 4G technology.
Since its introduction in 2015, 4G has only achieved a 15% nationwide penetration.
The Minister highlighted that the challenges faced during the 4G rollout influenced the government’s approach to the 5G deployment.
According to her, by directly awarding the contract to a newly created entity, the government aims to avoid similar obstacles and expedite the implementation process for the 5G network.
The Ablekuma West legislator, provided insight into the government’s strategic decision-making process, emphasizing the need for a dedicated infrastructure company to ensure the successful and timely rollout of 5G technology across the country.
“This is a special purpose vehicle and once the government took the decision that we will use a neutral infrastructure company to deliver this service, there is no existing neutral infrastructure company that can deliver it at the moment.”
This confirmation coincides with concerns raised by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni regarding the contract awarded to Next Gen Infra Co Ltd.
Meanwhile, the sector minister says the rollout of the 5G service will enhance the lives of Ghanaians by introducing digital services in education, healthcare, digital payment transactions and reduce the digital divide, and promote financial inclusion.
The new shared infrastructure is aimed at delivering affordable 5G mobile broadband services across Ghana. The seven partners include Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and two telecommunications companies – AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Obed King Gaglo
