IN a strategic move to solidify its presence in the Ghanaian telecommunications market, Telecel Group has officially announced that Vodafone Ghana will undergo a comprehensive rebranding, transitioning to Telecel by the end of February 2024. This transformative decision follows Telecel Group’s acquisition of a substantial 70 percent stake in Vodafone Ghana (Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited – GTCL) in February 2023, with the Ghanaian government retaining the remaining 30 percent shareholding in Vodafone Ghana’s local holding company, GTCL.
Telecel Group CEO, Moh Damush, emphasised the significance of this evolution, stating, ‘This rebranding represents more than just a name change; it signifies our commitment to advancing telecommunications in Ghana with a renewed focus on meeting the evolving needs of our customers.’ Damush asserted that the rebranding marks a step into the future, where innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction will be at the core of the company’s operations.
‘Our goal is to provide Ghanaians with exceptional services, exceeding their expectations,’ he added.
Vodafone Ghana CEO, Patricia Obo-Nai, expressed excitement about the transition, highlighting the company’s dedication to delivering a robust network for its customers, facilitating connectivity that fosters both personal and business growth. Obo-Nai invited stakeholders to join the company on this exciting journey as they shift from Vodafone Ghana to Telecel Ghana.
The rebranding process commenced in January 2024 and is scheduled to conclude with a full brand reveal at the end of February 2024. This transformation will extend to cover Vodafone Ghana’s three subsidiaries: National Communication Backbone Company Limited (Vodafone Wholesale), Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited (Vodafone Cash), and the Vodafone Ghana Foundation.
Telecel’s strategic initiatives in Ghana include an expansion of its network infrastructure in October 2023. The company added 300 new 4G sites and introduced 4G+ to offer even faster speeds. This move is crucial for 4G growth in Ghana, where only about 16 percent of mobile users were using 4G by the end of 2023, according to statistics from market research company Omdia.
In a comparative analysis, Vodafone Ghana had approximately 5 percent of its mobile users on 4G in December 2023, with almost 83 percent on 3G and the remaining 12 percent on 2G technology. In contrast, MTN Ghana boasted around 23 percent of its mobile users on 4G, while smaller operators Airtel Tigo and Glo Mobile had no 4G mobile subscribers.
Telecel’s rebranding initiative and network expansion underscore its commitment to enhancing telecommunications services in Ghana and positioning itself as a key player in the dynamic market.