Accra, Aug. 14, GNA-Parliament on Thursday approved by a majority vote of 124 to 74 the $900 million sale and purchase agreement of between the Government of Ghana and Vodafone International Holdings BV of 70 per cent shares of the Ghana Telecommunications Company.
Mr Mahama Ayariga (NDC-Bawku Central) and other leading NDC MPs however raised an objection against the motion on the grounds that the letter from President John Agyekum Kufuor was to the effect to discuss a deal of Government of Ghana with Vodafone PSC of UK.
However, the Speaker Mr Ebenezer Hughes pointed out that the House had already agreed to the debate on the motion.
Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister for Finance in summing the more that the four hour debate said Ghana had one of the best deals and there was no better offer.
While the NPP maintained that the deal was one on the best, with the intention to inject capital to salvage the Company, well as it being transparent, the largest Minority however argued that the deal was a give away price, and that the transaction not transparent, and was subversive of Ghana's constitution explaining since people involved in the purchase agreement could not be prosecuted for any insider dealings after the close of negotiations on the deal.
The debate has generated a lot of heat both in and outside Parliament since the agreement was signed on July 3 2008 by representatives of government and Vodafone.
Parliament suspended the discussion on the deal before it went on recess and was called back for special sitting on August 12, after which the deal was ratified after three days sitting.
Accra, Aug. 14, GNA-Parliament on Thursday approved by a majority vote of 124 to 74 the $900 million sale and purchase agreement of between the Government of Ghana and Vodafone International Holdings BV of 70 per cent shares of the Ghana Telecommunications Company.
Mr Mahama Ayariga (NDC-Bawku Central) and other leading NDC MPs however raised an objection against the motion on the grounds that the letter from President John Agyekum Kufuor was to the effect to discuss a deal of Government of Ghana with Vodafone PSC of UK.
However, the Speaker Mr Ebenezer Hughes pointed out that the House had already agreed to the debate on the motion.
Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister for Finance in summing the more that the four hour debate said Ghana had one of the best deals and there was no better offer.
While the NPP maintained that the deal was one on the best, with the intention to inject capital to salvage the Company, well as it being transparent, the largest Minority however argued that the deal was a give away price, and that the transaction not transparent, and was subversive of Ghana's constitution explaining since people involved in the purchase agreement could not be prosecuted for any insider dealings after the close of negotiations on the deal.
The debate has generated a lot of heat both in and outside Parliament since the agreement was signed on July 3 2008 by representatives of government and Vodafone.
Parliament suspended the discussion on the deal before it went on recess and was called back for special sitting on August 12, after which the deal was ratified after three days sitting.
