Vodafone assures GT workers

Page 20
22-08-08

THE Management of Vodafone Plc says in spite of the company's acquisition of majority shares in Ghana Telecommunications Company (GT),the nation’s premier telecom operator will still have Ghanaians at the helm of affairs.
Speaking to journalists at a briefing in Accra, the Leader of the Vodafone Management Team, Mr Eric Bourland, said a number of Vodafone officials from its affiliates across the world would initially be in Accra to ensure a smooth transition.
"We expect to inject some expertise, but it would not be long term. Over the period, it would be Ghanaians who would be in charge and Ghanaian expertise would also be deployed in other places where Vodafone operates," he said, adding that "this is how we do it".
Mr Bourland said from time to time, the company would be having experts coming in to improve operations.
He commended the Ghanaian management of the company for their commitment, saying that their expertise would be required to make the giant leap Vodafone intended to introduce in the Ghanaian telecommunications industry.
He explained that while management would accelerate the deployment of new equipment and services that matched the Vodafone brand, moving from current standards at Ghana Telecom to Vodafone standards would take some time.
Mr Bourland said clients of the company would start seeing changes in three months after the acquisition of majority stake and installation of new equipment.
He mentioned the M-PESA system, among a host of products that would be introduced in the country, adding that the M-PESA is a simple cost-efficient means of transferring money to friends, family and loved ones.
He noted that Vodafone was in the process of relaying equipment that would make services and products of the company more appealing to clients and potential clients.
"Our solutions are customised to meet the needs of each person of an entire enterprise to any level in any industry. To succeed in our delivery of service, we rely on the understanding of our customers and this is what we are committed to doing in Ghana".
He explained that there were various levels of needs that must be met and noted that soon the company would be the leader in both products and services.
Asked why Vodafone decided to invest in Ghana, Mr Bourland said it was part of Vodafone's strategy to provide cheap and efficient telecom services for its clients all over the world.
"We would wish to be judged by our actions, we believe that we are qualified and have the record of accomplishment to change the face of telecommunications in the country and we will do this by demonstrating it on the job.
"We will deliver on our promises and show that we are the right choice," Mr Bourland noted, giving the assurance that "we would work closely with the government and people of Ghana to achieve set targets".
He noted that with the passion shown by the staff, Vodafone had no option but to deliver on its charge of making GT the best in the country.
GT is currently the nation's third mobile phone operator with about 1.4 million subscribers. It also has a fixed line client base of 476,000, which includes 14,000 broadband customers.