GRi in Parliament Ghana 20 -07 - 2000

Ninety per cent of Ghana's Telephone exchanges are digital

Ninety per cent of Ghana's Telephone exchanges are digital

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 July 2000

Ninety per cent of the nation's telephone exchanges are digital and very soon, more modern ones would be created, Mr John Mahama, Minister of Communications said on Wednesday.

Mr Mahama, who was answering questions in Parliament, said currently, 60 per cent of district capitals are covered by telephone network and if all goes well the remaining would be roped in by 2005.

"The telecom industry is the fastest growing one in Ghana today and very soon its fruits will be there for all to see."

"Several data, audio-visual telecom systems are being installed and very soon every nook and cranny of the country will not just have access to voice transmission but will be able to access the Internet."

He announced that towns like Paga in the Upper East, Kintampo, Brong Ahafo and Kasoa in the Central Region are to be provided with telephone exchanges during the 2000-2003 period.

On members apprehension about the unreliability of the Wireless Local Loop (WILL) system, he said the system would be scrapped when the new system comes on board.

The Minister appealed to the legislators to help the Ghana Postal Service acquire buildings and if possible land for it to expand its operations.

He said the Service has the capacity to satisfy every community but it is normally restrained by the rigorous way of acquiring land and buildings to start operations.

GRi../