Ghana mandates 4G upgrades for rural telephony to close Digital Divide
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Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, directed that all rural telephony infrastructure in Ghana be upgraded to at least 4G capability.
This move aims to prevent remote communities from being left on 2G and 3G networks while urban areas transition to 5G technology. The ministry wants to ensure that rural areas can support digital commerce and remote education by establishing a minimum technological baseline.
To enforce this directive, the ministry started a national audit of 2,016 community network sites from the Rural Telephony Project. Inspections in the Ashanti Region have already provided data on these sites. Samuel Nartey George stated that about 1,400 of the audited sites currently carry active subscriber traffic, while others are under construction or awaiting power connections. The audit checks the physical integrity and construction status of the infrastructure.
The modernization process focuses on replacing radio access equipment and transceivers because existing core masts already support 4G frequencies. While the government manages these public assets, private companies are also expanding. MTN Ghana is building 800 new sites this year, and Telecel Ghana is adding approximately 350 new sites. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications allocated GH¢30 million in its current budget to support these projects and provide remedial engineering for distressed sites.
The ministry also directed the National Communications Authority to work with operators to lower voice and data costs in these rural areas. Challenges remain for unelectrified sites that rely on solar power, as these locations face risks from battery theft and lightning damage. The success of these efforts will determine if rural communities can participate in the digital economy.
