The government of Ghana has started dialoguing with the management of Vodafone to take over the Ghana Telecom University College (GTUC) at Tesano, Accra before the end of this year. According to the Minister of Communications, Haruna Iddrisu, government intends to transform it into a fully-fledged state university and expand its coverage beyond what is being witness now. “We should be signing a memorandum of understanding before August this year for government to take over the running of this university and to develop it as a full fledge public university; and make it an ICT institute of excellence” The handing over, however, would not be executed without challenges as government would have to cough out $40 million to settle redundant employees. “The setback now, is how redundant employees of the GTUC, who hitherto were employees of Ghana Telecom, who may not find their services relevant to the running of the university and how they are catered for,” the Minister explained. “The other difficulty has to do with the quantum of money; government is expected to raise $40 million in trenches of $20 million this year and $20 million next year to take care of redundant employees both at Ghana Telecom and those associated with this university.” The Ghana Telecom University College was initially the property of Ghana Telecom but was transferred to Vodafone as part of GT share sales agreement last year. The university was built about three years ago to provide top notch communication technology training. It currently provides skills training for staff of Vodafone and other telecom companies. Story by Isaac Essel / Myjoyonline.com