Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister, Samuel Nartey George, called for a balanced approach to spectrum auction pricing as the government pushes to expand fifth-generation mobile services while preserving long-term investment in the telecommunications sector.
Speaking at the 15th anniversary of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and a spectrum auction strategy workshop in Accra, George said spectrum allocation policies must prioritize deployment and affordability rather than maximizing short-term revenue.
The minister said government is targeting 70% 5G population coverage by March 2027 and warned that spectrum pricing should not “choke the very investment needed to deploy it.”
Spectrum, which enables mobile operators to provide wireless communications services, is a critical asset for telecom companies as demand for high-speed data and artificial intelligence-driven services grows across Africa.
George said the administration of President John Dramani Mahama is pursuing what he described as a “digital reset” anchored on legal and regulatory reforms, digital infrastructure expansion, a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and skills development programs including the One Million Coders Programme.
He also disclosed that Cabinet has approved a transition toward a competitive national spectrum auction framework while retaining a wholesale model aimed at encouraging broader participation in next-generation digital services.
George urged industry stakeholders to avoid prolonged discussions without implementation, saying the workshop should produce concrete recommendations within 30 days for adoption by the National Communications Authority.
“He stated that the workshop must deliver actionable, time-bound results,” according to remarks delivered at the event.
The minister also called on telecom operators to deepen collaboration on infrastructure sharing and long-term spectrum planning to improve connectivity in underserved areas.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, said decisions on spectrum policy would shape Ghana’s digital competitiveness, investment climate and service quality for years.
She described spectrum discussions as a broader national development issue rather than merely a technical exercise and said the Chamber was repositioning itself to reflect the country’s evolving digital ecosystem.
Owusu-Ankomah added that the industry body would support transparent policymaking and stronger collaboration as the government advances legal reforms in the sector.
Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, said future spectrum allocations should impose strict rural connectivity obligations on operators.
He said auction frameworks must also incorporate infrastructure sharing, energy resilience and cybersecurity preparedness.
Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, said the telecommunications industry had played a central role in connecting communities, enabling businesses and advancing financial inclusion over the past 15 years.
Blewett said the sector’s future would increasingly depend on AI-powered digital ecosystems, where connectivity underpins services in agriculture, healthcare and education.
“Ghana stands out for its regulatory clarity and stakeholder collaboration,” he said, citing international experience and urging continued cooperation between government, regulators and industry players.
The event brought together policymakers, regulators, telecom executives and international partners to discuss spectrum management strategies intended to support Ghana’s transition to inclusive and investment-friendly 5G services.
