Former Minister for Communications, Dr Omane Boamah, has revealed that he faced many challenges in the award of contract for Ghana’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration process.
Dr Boamah said Star Communication Network Technology of China (StarTimes China) frustrated his efforts to ensure due diligence in the award of the DDT contract.
“Forces of darkness work against you when you are fighting for Ghana,” he bemoaned.
The former minister was commenting on the controversy that has greeted government’s engagement with StarTimes.
StarTimes has clinched a controversial deal with the Government of Ghana to extend satellite TV to 300 villages in Ghana amid fierce opposition from GIBA, an association of local broadcasters.
The deal comes with substantial tax waivers from Government of Ghana.
StarTimes has also been awarded a deal by the Ministry of Communication to finish the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Network Platform started by K-NET, a local firm.
According to the Communications Ministry, K-NET has stalled on the projects due to financial constraints, hence the need for StarTimes to finish it up.
But Dr Omane Boamah on Adom FM Wednesday bemoaned how the government is championing the cause of China at the expense of Ghanaian interests.
In his view, it is obvious the China government is “breathing down the neck of government” that is why it is bent on giving StarTimes the contract.
The former Communications Minister cited how StarTimes China refused to participate in a competitive tender which KNET, a Ghanaian company won after its contract was terminated to buttress his point.
Rather, StarTimes-China filed a writ in Ghana against the decision and applied for an injunction to restrain the Ministry of Communications from inviting new tenders for the DTT project but on 9th March 2015, Ghana won when the Commercial Division of the High Court dismissed the interlocutory injunction and awarded cost of US$50,000 against StarTimes.
Dr Omane Boamah, therefore, found it strange the Communications Ministry headed by Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is seeking to exonerate StarTimes for no wrongdoing.
He appealed to government to desist from working against Ghana’s interest at the ICC arbitration and seek the interest of Ghanaian businessmen.
Source: Adom News
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THERE ARE INACCURACIES IN THIS REPORT.FACTS: AS AT DATE, GOVT HAS NO CONTRACT WITH STAR TIMES REGARDING THE DTT PROJECT. KNET's DTT CONTRACT WITH GOVT HAS NOT BEEN TERMINATED NOR TAKEN AWAY FOR ANOTHER COMPANY. KNET's DTT PROJECT IS ABOUT 95% COMPLETE AND THE MINISTER ATTESTED TO THE FACT THAT KNET HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB SO FAR. THE DTT ISSUE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE SATELLITE TV FOR 300 VILLAGES. GOVT IS RATHER IN DISCUSSION WITH STAR TIMES TO EXPAND THE DTT TO INCREASE THE CHANNELS. KNET's CONTRACT IS INTACT. WHY IS KNET NOT COMPLAINING IF IT HAS BEEN SHORTCHANGED. IF GOVT HAVE TO GIVE THE DTT EXPANSION PROJECT TO STAR TIMES TO ATTRACT CHINESE ASSITANCE IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVT, SO BE IT. KANAZOE OF BURKINA FASO CONSTRUCTED ROADS IN GHANA WHEN GHANA HAD BETTER ROAD CONTRACTORS. THE MINISTRY SHOULD HOWEVER LET LIGHT SHINE ON THE MOU IT HAS SIGNED WITH STAR TIMES (IF NO CONFIDENTIAL CLAUSE IS INVOLVED) TO AVERT THIS UNNECESSARY BROHAHA. ANY CONTRACT WITH STAR TIMES WILL NECESSARILY HAVE TO GO FOR PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL BEFORE IT CAN TAKE EFFECT. NO FEARS...
Which government invited StarTimes China to Ghana for the first place and who gave StarTimes China the first contract, which was canceled and this has resulted in court issue and selecting for the antagonistic attitude from China?
OMANE, IT WAS NOT THE FORCES OF DARKNESS. RATHER YOUR INCOMPETENCE
'But Dr Omane Boamah on Adom FM Wednesday bemoaned how the government is championing the cause of China at the expense of Ghanaian interests'. Where should the government get money to complete this project seeing NDC is saying the government is borrowing too much? Is that a case of Konongo Kaya? You won't carry, but will not allow anyone to carry? Borrow to complete, too much borrowing! WHICH is WHICH, NDC?