The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that government is implementing measures to make calls and data services on rural telephony networks cheaper by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
He said the Ministry is working with the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), and mobile network operators to review charging arrangements so that subscribers using rural telephony sites can benefit from their existing voice and data bundles.
The Minister disclosed this on Friday, September 4, during a tour of rural telephony sites in the Akwapim South District and an ongoing cell site project at the Koforidua lorry terminal. Areas visited included Dumpong, Nkumkrom, Nsakye, and Obosono, as part of a nationwide assessment of telecommunications infrastructure.
Mr George described the current pricing regime as unfair, noting that rural subscribers often pay more for calls and data despite having lower economic capacity compared to urban communities. He said a policy directive had been issued to reverse the arrangement, with the NCA and telecom operators working on technical integrations to ensure bundle usage across rural sites.
The Minister also announced plans to upgrade rural telephony sites to support at least 4G technology, stressing that communities should not be limited to 2G and 3G services when the world is advancing towards 5G.
On network expansion, he revealed that MTN is deploying 800 new sites nationwide, with Telecel expected to add 350. About 400 of MTN’s sites are projected to be completed by the end of the year, with all expected to be operational by early 2027.
Government has allocated GH¢30 million under the GIFEC budget for rural telephony this year, including US$400,000 for remedial works on 20 sites. Currently, 1,400 rural telephony sites are carrying traffic, while 300 completed sites await donor connections.
Residents of Nkumkrom appealed for the fast-tracking of a delayed mast project, citing poor mobile service in the area. Materials for the mast have already been delivered, but the project is awaiting a line site connection.
The Minister was accompanied by Dr Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, Director-General of the NCA; Mr Rashid Tanko Computer, CEO of GIFEC; Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister; and engineers from the Ministry, NCA, and mobile network operators.
