MEDIA  RELEASE  

TELECOMS  CHAMBER  MOURNS  MILLS;  CONGRATULATES  MAHAMA    Accra,  July  26,  2012  –     It   is   with   deep   sorrow   that   the   Ghana   Chamber   of  Telecommunications  issues  this  statement.  The  Chamber   received   the  news  of   the  passing  of  President   J.E.A.  Mills  with  shock  and  disbelief.    On  behalf  of  members  of  the  Governing  Council  and  the  entire  membership  of  the  Chamber,  we  wish   to  express  our  deepest  and  sincere  condolences   to  Mrs.  Naadu  Mills,  the  family  of  the  late  President,  the  government  and  people  of  Ghana.      The  late  President  was  a  statesman  and  promoter  of  the  private  sector,  who  strived  to   ensure   that   the   telecoms   industry   operated   in   a   free   and   fair   business  environment.  He  allowed  the  National  Communications  Authority  to  work  with  the  network  operators  without  interference  and  this  is  greatly  appreciated.    Mr.   Philip   Sowah,   President   of   the   Governing   Council   said:   “We   have   seen   an  introduction   of   policies   aimed   at   boosting   the   ICT   sector,   and   experienced   an  increase  in  mobile  subscriptions  and  the  introduction  of  new  technologies  and  value  added  services.”    Mr.   Kwaku   Sakyi   Addo,   CEO   of   the   Chamber   said:   “President   Mills   did   not   only  interact   with   the   industry   as   a   leader   but   also   as   a   subscriber   who   sometimes  engaged   the  Minister   of   Communications   and   the  NCA  on  ways   in  which   network  operators  could  be  supported.”        Whilst  we  mourn,  we  also  wish  to  congratulate  President  John  D.  Mahama  in  his  new  capacity  as  Head  of  State.    We  recall  with  appreciation  the  role  Mr.  Mahama  played  as  Guest  of  Honour  at  the  launch  of  the  Chamber  last  November  and  subsequently  receiving  members  of  the  Governing  Council   in  his  office  to  discuss   issues  affecting  the  industry.      We   congratulate   the   parliamentary   and   judicial   leadership   of   this   nation   for   the  smooth   and   exemplary   transition.     We   look   forward   to   a   future   of   peace   and  harmony  which   are   the   foundations   for   investments,   economic   growth   and   social  development.          SIGNED  BY:  KWAKU  A.  SAKYI-­‐ADDO  THE  CHIEF  EXECUTIVE  OFFICER    

 

For  more  information,  please  contact:    

Derek  B.Laryea  (Mr.)  Tel:  0577605485/  Email:derek@telecomschamber.org   EDITORS TO NOTE:  About  Ghana  Telecommunications  Chamber    Five   mobile   network   operators   in   Ghana   launched   the   Chamber   of  Telecommunications   in   2011   as   a   private   initiative   to   help   shape   policy   in   one   of  Africa’s   most   active   telecoms   markets.   A   sixth   player,   Globacom,   launched   its  services  in  Ghana  in  April  to  join  Airtel,  Expresso,  MTN,  Tigo  and  Vodafone.  

Operators  have  invested  over  US$5.6  billion  in  the  West  African  country  over  the  last  decade  and  half,  created  over  1.5  million  jobs  and  are  responsible  for  10  per  cent  of  all  government  revenues.  

There  are  over  21  million  sim  cards   in  circulation  among  a  population  of  25million  people.  

                                     

F84/8  Aborlebu  Crescent, North  Labone Accra  –  Ghana

Tel:  +233  (0)  302  730  500 info@telecomschamber.org  www.telecomschamber.org