Vodafone Ghana has announced it has voluntarily decided to hand over close to 18 of its prime assets, including properties such as the Ghana Telecom University (GTU), to the government.
The properties were acquired in 2008 as part of assets bought in the Ghana Telecom deal, according to which Vodafone paid US$900-million for a 70% stake in the national carrier.
The telco now claims it is giving out the properties "as a show of commitment" to Ghana and as "a generous offer on the part of the telecommunications company to the Ghana government."
"Notwithstanding the fact that these are assets legally acquired and paid for under the Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (GTCL) Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) between Vodafone Group and the Government of Ghana, Vodafone Ghana considers them non–core and surplus to its operations, hence, the decision to hand them over," a release from the telco says.
The control of GTU seems to be particularly at the centre of the development. The GTU is a private university college established in 2006 to provide practical training in technology-oriented education.
It has its roots in Ghana Telecom's flagship Training Centre which was first used as a Royal Air Force Training School during the WW2 and subsequently handed to Cable and Wireless to train telecommunications technicians for British West African Countries namely Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
It has been upgraded to be the main source of teaching and certification in telecommunications engineering for Ghana Telecom employers and other institutions in and around Ghana.
Prior agreement
Prior to Vodafone's announcement on Tuesday, the Ghanaian government, which is a 30% shareholder in Vodafone Ghana, said last week it has initiated steps to take over the University from Vodafone as part of a GoG/Vodafone/Ghana Telecom Re-Engagement Agreement signed in 2012.
According to the country's ministry of education plans are on to manage GTU as one of the public tertiary institutions in Ghana with a view to "further transform the institution into a niched world class centre of excellence. It is also expected that fees for its programmes would become more affordable and regulated consistent with policies guiding Ghanaian public tertiary institutions."
A Working Committee with representatives from the finance and education ministries, GTU, Vodafone Ghana Limited and the Attorney-General's Department has been tasked with working out transfer timelines.
It is envisaged that the takeover will be completed for the commencement of the 2016/2017 academic year in September.
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