Minister demands 4G upgrade for rural telephony sites to bridge digital divide

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a strong directive for the immediate upgrade of all Rural Telephony Project (RTP) sites across Ghana to a minimum of 4G technology, arguing that the continued reliance on 2G and 3G services is an injustice to rural communities in an era of 5G and 6G advancements .

The Policy Directive

Speaking during an extensive inspection tour of rural telephony infrastructure in the Eastern Region, Minister George emphasized that the current state of connectivity in rural areas is unacceptable. He stated that the government is committed to bridging the digital divide by ensuring that underserved communities benefit from the same technological standards as urban centres .

“My challenge is that in today’s day and age, we say we’re connecting communities, and we give them 2G, 3G. The world has moved from 5G to 6G. So at least, we must give 4G to our network,” Minister George stated during the tour . He stressed that the upgrade is essential to reduce network congestion and dramatically improve the mobile services and customer experience available to rural residents .

The Minister highlighted that the initiative forms part of a broader national strategy to bridge Ghana’s digital divide. He stressed that the country must invest in telecommunications infrastructure with the same seriousness as it invests in roads and hospitals .

Concrete Plans and Investment

The Minister provided specifics on the timeline and funding for this modernization. The government plans to make rural communications services cheaper than urban ones by the first quarter of 2027 . A policy directive has been issued to reverse the current charging arrangement for rural telephony, where customers often incur extra charges instead of using their existing voice and data bundles .

With regard to funding, approximately GH¢30 million (nearly US400,000 earmarked for immediate remedial works on 20 sites .

Current Status and Challenges

The Minister noted significant progress in the sector, with about 1,400 rural telephony sites currently carrying traffic, while another 300 completed sites await connection to donor networks . To further expand coverage, major operators are undertaking massive infrastructure projects, with MTN Ghana currently deploying 800 new sites and Telecel constructing 350 .

The inspection also revealed some challenges, including local frustration in communities like Nkumkrom, where residents are eagerly awaiting the completion of a local telephony mast that has been delayed due to site availability issues. Minister George said the government would restore several sites that have gone offline due to technical issues .

Future Outlook

This upgrade is viewed as a critical step in Ghana’s digital transformation journey, positioning the country for future opportunities. This comes at a time when the government is also preparing for a 5G auction, with a target of 70 percent population coverage by March 2027 .

The Minister’s directive aims to ensure that residents in rural communities are not left behind as Ghana advances toward a fully digitalized economy .