Telecel’s acquisition of Vodafone Ghana raises questions about job security for employees
Vodafone Ghana staff face an uncertain future following the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) approval of the sale of the telecom giant to Telecel.
According to anonymous statements made by Vodafone staff to the media, the employees are concerned about job security after the acquisition.
“For me, I’m happy that we will have new management for the company, and we may see a turnaround, but I can’t be sure of how my job will be sustained. We know what happened during the takeover of Ghana Telecom which resulted in some of our friends going home”, said one Vodafone employee.
Telecel’s acquisition of Vodafone, which is the second-largest telecom company in Ghana with the highest subscriber base, has also raised concerns among staff.
“We just need some form of investments to turn around the company and I think the potential is there. We shouldn’t sell the company that is the second-largest telco in the country to a new company. Now, we don’t know how Ghanaians will react to this new network,” said another Vodafone employee.
The NCA last week granted provisional approval for the transfer of 70% of the shares in Vodafone Ghana to Telecel Group. The approval is subject to concessions made by Vodafone and representations made by the Telecel Group to the NCA. Vodafone International Holdings B.V held the 70% shares of Vodafone Ghana.
In a statement, the NCA reassured the public and stakeholders that it would continue to work with Vodafone Ghana and Telecel to complete all outstanding regulatory requirements to ensure a smooth transition, continuity of service delivery, and improved choice for consumers and competition within the industry.
The acquisition is a significant move in the Ghanaian telecom sector, as it will see Telecel, a relatively new player in the market, take over the second-largest telecom company in the country.
The deal is expected to be closely watched by industry experts and investors as they assess the potential impact on the competitive landscape of the Ghanaian telecom sector.
