By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, May 13, GNA– Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations will soon introduce a competitive national bidding process for spectrum allocation to improve transparency, efficiency and investment in Ghana’s telecommunications sector.
Mr Samuel Nartey George, the sector minister, disclosed this at a workshop on Spectrum Auction Design and Pricing held alongside the soft launch of the 15th anniversary of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with industry stakeholders and the GSM Association (GSMA), forms part of efforts to review Ghana’s spectrum strategy within a 10-year national framework currently being finalised by the NCA.
He said Cabinet had taken a policy decision to adopt a competitive bidding regime for spectrum assignment, replacing previous approaches that had faced criticism over inefficiencies and suboptimal outcomes.
“Spectrum allocations will now follow a competitive national bidding process,” the Minister stated.
He noted that the new approach would ensure fairness, enhance value for the state and promote meaningful investment in network deployment.
Mr George explained that the policy formed part of broader structural reforms in spectrum management under government’s digital transformation agenda.
The Minister emphasised that spectrum, being a finite national resource, must be managed in a way that balanced revenue generation with infrastructure rollout.
He, however, cautioned against auction designs that prioritise short-term financial gains at the expense of long-term sector development.
“Auctions designed only for revenue can suppress investment, delay coverage and fail to serve consumers effectively,” he said.
He tasked industry stakeholders to provide technical input on auction structure, reserve pricing and rollout obligations.
The Minister stressed that such decisions must be informed by both local realities and international best practices.
He indicated that the competitive bidding process would be complemented by a wholesale framework, allowing multiple players to participate and expand next-generation networks.
He called for deliberate measures within the auction design to discourage speculation and ensure that spectrum was awarded to operators with strong deployment commitments, especially in underserved communities.
He urged stakeholders to contribute to shaping a pricing philosophy that would ensure spectrum was put to productive use, rather than held as a financial asset.
Mr George reiterated government’s commitment to working collaboratively with industry players to build a competitive, inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem.
Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, the Acting Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), in a supporting address, highlighted the importance of transparent and predictable spectrum assignment frameworks.
He said the success of spectrum licensing should not be measured solely by assignment, but by actual deployment.
GNA
13 May 2026
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong