Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has thrown his weight behind her in the issues surrounding the controversial KelniGVG deal.

According to the Ablekuma West MP,  President Akufo-Addo who has backed the deal has given her his blessing to continue with her.

She added that the encouragement by the president has emboldened her to go ahead with the deal which is in the interest of the nation adding that due diligence was conducted before the selection of KelniGVG to undertake the specialised technology job.

President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe who has publicly opposed the deal says the policy decision which formed the basis for the appointment of KelniGVG to provide revenue assurance services for government is senseless.

Franklin Cudjoe insists the government cannot part with a whopping $89 million contract deal to Kelni GVG, in addition to a monthly $1.5 million to a company to provide services whose returns to the state is either negligible or non-existent.

Also, 22 civil society organisations have requested for the details of the contract. The Minority in parliament is also demanding an independent probe.

Asked whether she will resign over the claims by IMANI and the Minority, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful told Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen political talk show on Monday, 4 June that: “The president has said this is a good transaction.

“The one who appointed me supports the deal; that has strengthened and emboldened me, he wants to ensure that we get the right tax from the telcos. And has, therefore, given his blessings to this deal”, she added.

The Communications Minister has been emphatic, this arrangement is good enough and serves the interest of telcos who may manipulate the data to pay lower taxes.

She has stated her determination to enforce the law fully despite resistance from some telcos.