The rollout of 5G technology in Ghana faces significant hurdles, including delayed regulatory approvals, limited device accessibility, and the heavy reliance of millions of subscribers on older networks, according to Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana.
Mr. Blewett said Ghana has a long way to go before the transformative power of 5G can be fully realized.
He expressed concern that delays in regulatory and licensing processes had slowed down the commercial launch of the next-generation network. “I think we’ve got a long way to go in 5G. I think it’s unfortunate that it’s taken a while for us to get there,” he said in an interview with Joy News.
One of the most pressing challenges, he explained, is device accessibility. Despite the hype surrounding 5G’s potential to deliver speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G and enable ultra-low latency applications in areas like telemedicine, industrial automation, and smart cities, very few Ghanaians can actually use the technology.
Mr. Blewett revealed that there are currently only about one million 5G-ready devices in the country. With Ghana’s population exceeding 34 million and a mobile penetration rate of more than 120 percent, the number of 5G-compatible handsets represents just a tiny fraction of the potential user base. This, he stressed, undermines the commercial case for investing in expensive nationwide infrastructure in the short term.
The problem is further compounded by the slow pace of migration from older networks. While the focus is on preparing for 5G, millions of subscribers are still on 3G, with many yet to transition to 4G.
“We have a lot of people still sitting on 3G, then we have to move up to 4G, and so that step has to happen,” the MTN CEO explained.
For MTN Ghana, the country’s largest mobile operator, this creates a dual challenge: the company must continue to expand 4G adoption and coverage, while at the same time laying the foundation both financially and technologically for 5G rollout.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Blewett reaffirmed his conviction that 5G is indispensable for Ghana’s economic future. “5G as a technology is important for the expansion of our economy, but it doesn’t mean 5G shouldn’t come,” he emphasized.
He noted that sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, and telemedicine all stand to benefit significantly from high-speed, low-latency networks.
Analysts argue that for Ghana to fully unlock the potential of 5G, two critical shifts must take place. The cost of 5G-enabled devices must fall substantially to allow widespread adoption among ordinary consumers, while regulatory authorities must provide clarity on spectrum allocation and pricing to give operators the confidence to commit the necessary multi-million-dollar investments.
Without such measures, there is a risk that 5G connectivity will remain a luxury service accessible only to a small, urban elite.
For now, the conversation around 5G in Ghana remains as much about inclusivity as it is about technology.
However, the path forward should prioritize bridging the affordability gap, encouraging the migration of users from 3G to 4G, and ensuring regulatory alignment that attracts private sector investment.
