The Member of Parliament for the Mpraeso Constituency, Davis Ansah Opoku, has questioned the government’s silence on the future of AT Ghana during the ongoing debate on the State of the Nation Address in Parliament.
Contributing to the debate on the floor of the House, the Mpraeso MP expressed concern that despite the President’s extensive remarks on digital transformation and the development of a digital economy, the address failed to address the situation of AT Ghana, formerly AirtelTigo.
According to him, the omission is worrying given the telecom operator’s role in Ghana’s communications sector and the uncertainty currently facing its workforce.
Mr Opoku noted that AT Ghana currently serves more than 3 million mobile subscribers across the country, representing about 8% of the telecommunications market.
He explained that the issue surrounding the company goes beyond the more than 300 workers whose jobs are currently uncertain, stressing that millions of subscribers depend on the network for voice and data services.
“You cannot speak about building a digital economy while remaining silent about the future of a telecom operator serving over three million Ghanaians,” he stated.
The MP therefore called on the government to provide clarity on its plans for the telecom operator.
“What is the government’s policy direction regarding AT Ghana? Are there ongoing discussions with investors or partners to secure the company’s future? And what protection exists for the more than three hundred workers whose employment remains uncertain?” he asked.
Mr Opoku also raised concerns about the financing arrangements for the government’s One Million Coders programme, which was highlighted in the President’s address as a key digital initiative.
He indicated that the available information suggests that the National Communications Authority was directed to finance the procurement of laptops for the programme.
According to him, such an arrangement raises questions under the Public Financial Management Act, which requires that public funds be spent in accordance with an approved budget authorised by Parliament.
The Mpraeso MP also questioned reports that laptops procured for the programme cost approximately 14,000 Ghana cedis each and called for transparency in the procurement process.
“How many laptops were procured, what procurement method was used and what specifications justify the cost of fourteen thousand cedis per device?” he queried.
Mr Opoku emphasised that Ghana’s digital transformation agenda must be supported by strong telecommunications infrastructure, transparent public spending and strict adherence to public financial management laws.
He urged the government to provide clarity on the future of AT Ghana, the fate of the workers involved and the financial arrangements underpinning the One Million Coders programme.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com