By Esther Mateyko Kumah/Amanda Amankwaa Boachie Danquah
Accra, Sept. 8, GNA – Ghana is stepping up efforts to address persistent mobile network connectivity challenges, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities, as government and telecommunications operators increase investments in infrastructure to expand coverage and improve service quality nationwide.
The challenges, which include weak and unreliable network coverage in many communities, have prompted the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations to collaborate with Members of Parliament to identify and map areas experiencing severe connectivity difficulties within their constituencies.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the sector minister, during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, said the Ministry was working closely with regulators and network operators to improve coverage, capacity and quality of telecommunications services across the country.
He said ongoing interventions had led major telecommunications operators to commit substantial resources to network expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and the deployment of advanced technologies.
“MTN Ghana, for example, has committed more than US$1.1 billion over a three-year period, with approximately US$380 million expected to be invested in 2026,” he said.
Mr George said the investment would support network expansion, the construction of new cell sites, improved coverage, and the rollout of 5G services.
He noted that the National Communications Authority (NCA) was expected to complete the assignment of the 5G spectrum before the end of 2026 and begin deployment following the removal of the wholesale 5G exclusivity framework on July 15, 2026.
Mr George said the removal of the exclusivity arrangement would pave the way for broader access to 5G services nationwide.
MTN is also planning to construct 800 new cell sites in 2026, which the Minister described as the company’s largest annual site expansion programme in a decade.
He said the new sites would be concentrated largely in rural and peri-urban communities to help bridge existing coverage gaps.
Of the planned sites, 180 are already operational and carrying traffic.
Meanwhile, Telecel Ghana has increased its capital investment by 60 per cent during the 2023-2026 period compared with the preceding four years.
Its investment has risen from approximately US$893 million to between US$1.4 billion and US$1.5 billion.
Mr George said Telecel was targeting upgrades at 2,698 sites in 2026, with 1,890 sites already upgraded and made 4G-compliant.
He said the company’s 4G site footprint had expanded significantly, increasing from 237 sites in 2018 to 318 in 2019, 631 in 2023, 451 in 2024, 869 in 2025, and 1,890 in 2026.
The continuous investments by telecommunications operators were expected to improve network availability and service quality while extending reliable connectivity to underserved communities.
However, he noted that three major challenges continued to affect network stability: frequent fibre cuts, instability in the national power grid, and subscriber growth outpacing network expansion.
He said measures were being implemented to address the challenges and ensure improved network stability and quality of service across the country.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Biye-Doe