Local Politics

NDC Caucus in Parliament Rejects Opaque NextGen Infraco 5G Licensing Contract

Story Highlights
  • Minority in Parliament opposes 5G deal with NextGen InfraCo.
  • Alleges lack of transparency and accountability.
  • Government defends deal, says NextGen InfraCo was established for 5G rollout.
  • Opposition sparks debate on transparency in government contracts.

In a press statement issued on Monday, June 3, and signed by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the NDC MPs pledged to oppose the deal.

The statement highlighted similar contracts awarded by the current government that have resulted in a waste of state resources, reinforcing their skepticism about the NextGen InfraCo deal.

The NDC MPs emphasized the need for scrutiny and accountability, assuring the public that they will address the nation in the coming days to shed light on the opacity of the deal and its potential implications for Ghana.

The Minority’s statement noted that the regulatory framework and operational modalities for the deal have not been clearly defined by the government, which appears to be in an indecent haste to give away the country’s 5G spectrum for a pittance.

This development follows Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, defending the government’s decision to award the 5G licensing contract to NextGen InfraCo. The Minister clarified that NextGen InfraCo was specifically established to manage the 5G rollout, as there were no other infrastructure companies with the necessary capacity for this project at the time.

The Minister further explained that the direct award of the contract to this new company is part of the government’s strategy to overcome previous challenges and expedite the deployment of the 5G network in Ghana.

The Minority’s opposition to the deal has sparked a heated debate in the country, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the awarding of government contracts.

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