5G Spectrum Deal Inimical To National Interest- Minority

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has registered its abhorrence to the recently announced 5G spectrum contract awarded by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to a week old registered company to provide internet services across the country.

Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful last week announced that government has awarded Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC) a contract to roll out 5G internet services across the country within the next six months.

The minority has however kicked against the deal describing it as ‘is inimical to the national interest’ and enumerated several reasons to butress its opposition.

A statement dated June 3, 2024 and signed by Minority leader, Dr Casiel Ato Forson said the NDC has flagged the transaction for what it calls “eagle-eye scrutiny”.

Read the full statement below:

NDC MINORITY KICKS AGAINST OPAQUE 5G SPECTRUM DEAL
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has noted with grave concern the decision by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to give away Ghana’s 5G spectrum to a shadowy entity, Next Gen InfracoCompany Limited for the next 10 to 15 years.

Under this deal, Next Gen Infraco Limited has been given the exclusive right to build, own and operate the entire 5G infrastructure network across the country, for the use of all mobile network operators, internet service providers and other interested entities.

It is instructive to note that executive approval was granted by President Akufo-Addo for this sweetheart deal on 22nd August 2023, barely one week after the company’s incorporation on 16th August 2023.

This was done through a non-transparent arrangement without any competitive process whatsoever.
After a preliminary study of the processes leading to this opaque transaction, the Minority Caucus takes the view that the Next Gen Infraco 5G deal is inimical to the national interest for the following reasons:

1. Lack of value for money
   Our conservative analysis shows that the State could have generated up to USD400 million to USD$500 million upfront if the government had opted for a more competitive process.
   This revenue could have been channelled into critical development projects in this time of economic bankruptcy and excruciating hardships.
    
   Sadly, the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumiagovernment is giving away this important asset for a paltry USD$125million payable in yearly instalments on a work-and-pay basis over the next 10 years.
2. Unfair monopoly and exclusivity.
   This opaque ‘work and pay’ 5G agreement will ensure that:

i. NEXT GEN INFRACO would be the ONLY COMPANY to offer wholesale 5G mobile DATA and VOICE services in the country for a period of 10 years.

ii. All existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)-MTN, AT, TELECEL and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country cannot offer DATA and VOICE services to their numerous customers nationwide without passing through NEXT GEN INFRACO.

iii. NEXT GEN INFRACO would control substantial 62.5% of every DATA/VOICE bundle package every mobile user buys, with only 7.5% going to Government and 30% for Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers.

We hold the view that the monopoly and exclusive rights granted Next Gen Infraco under this opaque deal is unfair to other industry players and unacceptable.

3. Absence of Parliamentary Approval
   This 5G spectrum transaction awarded to Next Gen Infraco Limited is a multi-year contract, hence subject to parliamentary approval per section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921).

Unfortunately, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumiagovernment is almost concluding this deal at the blindside of Parliament. This renders the entire transaction unlawful, null, void, and of no legal effect whatsoever.

4. Some of the entities in the Consortium, which are the beneficiaries of this opaque transaction, are mushroom entities owned by cronies of President Akufo-Addo and the Minister for Communications, with questionable track-records.

As a matter of fact, some of these entities have been engaged by this same government in similar arrangements that have offered no value for money for the state.
 

5. The regulatory framework and operational modalities and guidelines for this opaque arrangement have not been clearly defined by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, which appears to be in an indecent haste to give away the country’s 5G spectrum for a pittance.
6. The investment that this Consortium is expected to make to justify their humongous 63% stake in Ghana’s 5G network services revenue has also not been clearly defined.

The NDC Caucus in Parliament holds the view, that at a time that the country is in dire need of foreign exchange and non-tax revenue, it is unconscionable that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government will hand over the precious and highly sought-after 5G spectrum of the country to a shell company for a pittance.

Clearly, this deal for all intents and purposes is inimical to our national interest.

The NDC Minority Caucus has, therefore, flagged this transaction for eagle-eye scrutiny. In the coming days, we shall be addressing the media and, by extension, the Ghanaian people on these vexedmatters and collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure that our national interest is upheld.
                                                                  END
 
CASSIEL ATO FORSON (Ph.D), MP
MINORITY LEADER
 
MONDAY, 3RD JUNE, 2024
PARLIAMENT HOUSE
ACCRA.