Globacom Berths in Ghana

Globacom Berths In Ghana
… set to roll out $2b investment
By Stephen Odoi-Larbi

Globacom Mobile Ghana Limited (Glo) has confirmed its acquisition of a telecom license from the National Communication Authority (NCA), becoming the sixth player in the telecom Industry after Kasapa, Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN), One Touch, Tigo and Western Telecommunications Limited (Westel), to begin operations in the country.
The announcement by the company (Globacom) has brought to an end the brouhaha surrounding which company has won the license, after intense scrutiny of eleven applicants that tendered in their bid to the NCA to operate in the country.
The NCA for the past two weeks has been tight-lipped over announcing the winner of the bid, but has released a statement confirming Glo Mobile Ghana Limited as victor.
The license which cost the company US$50.1million, has been fully paid and Glo Mobile Ghana Limited would soon begin its operations nationwide, operating on a third generation network (3G).
Announcing its license acquisition to a group of media practitioners in Accra, Head of New Market and Special Projects, Mr. Yinka Olafimihah noted, “we are pleased and indeed challenged by the confidence that the NCA and the general public have imposed on us”.
He noted that his outfit’s acquisition of the license was the realization of the dream of the African Union and was a symbol of good things to happen on the continent.
Mr. Olafimihah promised the country quality service from his outfit in order to capture the market.
“Given our antecedent and reputation, the government and people of Ghana can only expect the very best in telephony from Globacom. We will ensure that the trust reposed in us by the people is not misplaced”, he noted.
He averred that their entrance on the Ghanaian terrain may look very difficult, but was quick to add that with their experience on the Nigerian market, they will sail through smoothly.
Recently on the Nigerian market, the National Communication Council of Nigeria (NCC) took punitive action against mobile telephony operators for poor services but excluded Globacom because of its excellent service. A similar exercise was taken in Ghana by NCA recently.
It is believed that Globacom’s presence in the country would send a very strong signal to its competitors to improve upon their services to enable Ghanaians enjoy a stress-free service.
According to Mr. Olafimihah, his outfit (Globacom) would not rush into doing things as it has a strategy of rolling out on the entire country at a go.
A US$2billion investment package plan has been earmarked for its 3G operations in the country as determined by the NCA.
Information gathered by the paper indicated that the license to offer cellular mobile services in Ghana by Globacom was paid on Wednesday, June 18th, 2008, ahead of the deadline given for the payment by the Ghanaian regulatory authority, the NCA.
Mr. Olafimihah expressed his appreciation to the Government of Ghana and the NCA for the confidence reposed in Globacom.
"As we berth in Ghana, we are encouraged by the warmth and love extended to us by the government and good people of this peace-loving, dynamic and resourceful country. We are indeed grateful to the government for providing the enabling environment that encouraged us to venture here. The task ahead may look tough, we wish to assure you that we will meet and surely surpass your expectations," Olafimihah stated."As a corporate citizen of Ghana, Glo Mobile Ghana is therefore your Brand, literally and metaphorically. You can always identify with and rely on our Glo green as symbolic of hope and the true spirit of brotherliness among Africans," he added.