A five-member inter-ministerial committee to investigate the sale of Ghana Telecom (GT) to UK-based Vodafone will be inaugurated today May 18, 2009. The committee will include representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Justice and Attorney-General as well as Communications. It will be assisted by a four-member technical committee whose expertise will be crucial to the the investigations. The committee is expected to find out if Ghana had best value for money in the sale of 70% shares of GT to Vodafone. It will also find out the true owners of Netherlands-registered Vodafone BV which, according to the sale and purchase agreement, acquired the shares. The National Democratic Congress criticised the sale while in opposition and promised to launch investigations into the deal when it assumes power. Although reports indicate officials of Vodafone could have mixed-feelings about Government's intended action, President Mills has assured the government has no intention of abrogating the contract. He has hinted the investigations are only to establish that there were no underhand dealings in the signing of the contract. "There was so much uncertainty. Ghanaians got the impression that not everything had been put on the table. What we've only attempted to do is to ensure that we clear the air; let's find out what happened," the president has noted. Ahead of the investigations however, Vodafone has now fully launched its services in Ghana, rolling out new products. Vice President John Dramani Mahama was the guest-of-honour at the company's launching at the International Conference Centre in Accra. Mr Mahama reiterated the Mills-led administration's commitment to support the private sector while Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has stressed that governments review of the GT-Vodafone deal will be an opportunity for the private company to clear certain questions that have been hanging on its investment. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Joy News