Vodafone Ghana (VF) has created more than 7,000 jobs within its sales and distribution system since August last year and projected a rise in its customer base to five million by the end of the next fiscal year. "The number also represents contract staff, distributors and direct vendors throughout the country," Mr Amon Jere, Head, Sales and Distribution at Vodafone Ghana has said. The company has also projected a 200 per cent increase in revenue over current figures. Mr. Jere admitted that the projections were "ambitious but achievable. " "The fact is, we have achieved similar targets in other countries using a similar transformational module, we are optimistic that we can achieve same in Ghana. It is not the first time." He admitted that the industry­ dynamics was "very competitive" but stressed that it is Vodafone's nature to be in the frontline and lead in the industry, "and this we do with our people, distributors and customers service delivery." Asked if the figures he mentioned were possible to reach, Amon noted that, "the job here is highly performance-driven and we have high performers and achievers to reach that goal." Amon said the sales department though new, has a core of tough and experienced staff that have what it takes to effect the needed turnaround required. He explained that Vodafone has recruited 14 distributing companies spread across the country. He expressed satisfaction at the output of the team so far stressing that it was important to know that the strategy being adopted is new to Ghana and, "that the terrain was one which was most congenial for the kind of end result we are looking for." Amon also noted that a new strategy that would boost capacity base for further recruitment programmes that will ensure that those being recruited are fully integrated into the Vodafone strategy long before they become full time staff. When contacted on the recruitment exercise for her comments, Mrs. Stella Appiah ­Nkansah, Chief Officer, Human Resource Management said "We are in the business of recruiting fresh and goal-driven staff to meet the new business direction of the company." She said the company has so far employed 207 permanent staff and still recruiting. On the issue of the recent Exit Package, she had this say, "We gave our staff the opportunity to decide for themselves to either continue working for Vodafone or move onto other ventures and businesses. Handsome packages were put on offer and 860 persons decided to move on to other jobs or into retirement." She said new people have been recruited and are still being recruited to fill vacant roles and positions. "We are currently encouraging employees to use their initiative, while running a number of customer care and training workshops to keep pace with customer relations and management requirements. Since Augl,lst 2008 almost 2,000 staff members have been trained and many are being re-trained both locally and· in other Vodafone establishments across the world. Source: B&FT