Ghana’s Communications Minister Sam Nartey George has urged telecom industry experts to actively shape the country’s 5G rollout strategy, warning that poorly designed spectrum planning could delay deployment and ultimately harm consumers.
Addressing a high-level workshop on spectrum auction design and pricing strategy, the minister stressed that decisions around spectrum management, including pricing, allocation and licensing, would determine whether Ghana fully captures the economic potential of fifth-generation technology.
George revealed that Cabinet has already endorsed a shift toward a competitive national bidding process for spectrum allocation, while retaining a wholesale framework that allows multiple operators to deploy next-generation services through different pathways.
He announced an ambitious national target of achieving 70 per cent 5G population coverage by Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary in March 2027, describing the timeline as among the fastest rollout schedules globally. He cautioned, however, that speed must not compromise service quality or deepen the digital divide, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“This is not a forum for diplomatic silence. Government is listening,” the minister declared, urging stakeholders to provide concrete recommendations on auction formats, reserve pricing, payment terms and rollout obligations benchmarked against global best practices.
George also flagged the upcoming “Dig Once” policy, which would integrate fibre infrastructure into road construction projects to significantly reduce deployment costs and strengthen the backbone of Ghana’s digital economy.
The workshop was organised by the government in collaboration with the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, as part of efforts to build a transparent and inclusive framework for the country’s 5G transition.
The minister noted that ongoing sector reforms including a comprehensive legal overhaul, a national artificial intelligence strategy and investments in digital skills development would complement the 5G agenda as Ghana advances its broader digital transformation goals.
