At the launch of Ghana’s 5G network, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, celebrated this milestone as a crucial step toward realizing a fully digital Ghana by 2030. In her speech, she highlighted the transformative potential of 5G technology, noting that it would bring unprecedented speeds, low latency, and robust connectivity to Ghanaians across diverse sectors. By enabling advanced applications in healthcare, education, and finance, 5G will enhance digital services, foster economic growth, and close the digital divide, ensuring that even remote communities benefit from high-speed internet.
Owusu-Ekuful emphasized that Ghana’s 5G rollout is being carried out in partnership with the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) and several industry leaders, including Nokia, Radisys, and Tech Mahindra. This consortium has been granted a 5G license, marking NGIC as the first 5G Mobile Broadband Shared Infrastructure Entity in the country. NGIC plans to deploy 5G services across Ghana within the next six months and eventually expand to other African markets. This model, inspired by successful shared infrastructure initiatives globally, is designed to reduce investment costs for telecom operators and enhance service accessibility nationwide.
Furthermore, the 5G network will support a variety of new technologies and services. For instance, industries can leverage 5G’s high capacity and fast connectivity for applications like telemedicine, smart classrooms, and advanced digital payments. The minister urged Ghanaian youth and entrepreneurs to capitalize on these advancements by developing innovative solutions that address local challenges and create sustainable jobs within the tech sector.
The launch also aligns with the government’s broader digital strategy, which includes expanding rural telephony projects and upgrading essential digital infrastructure, such as fiber optic networks and data centers. As Ghana joins other African nations like South Africa and Nigeria in deploying 5G, Owusu-Ekuful reinforced the government’s commitment to positioning Ghana as a leading digital economy within the region, promoting inclusivity, and making digital services affordable and accessible to all citizens.
This rollout sets the stage for Ghana’s digital transformation, expected to attract new investments, enhance service delivery, and ultimately integrate Ghana into the global digital landscape.
