The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations is expected to deploy about 800 new cell sites across the country in 2026 to improve telecommunications connectivity, particularly in underserved communities.
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, said the planned expansion would surpass the total number of cell sites constructed over the previous five years, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing persistent network challenges.
He disclosed this during a visit to the Rural Telephony project site at Akoefe Gadza as part of his tour of the Volta Region, inspected ongoing works and engaged traditional authorities and residents on efforts to improve network coverage in the area.
According to the sector Minister, approximately 600 new cell sites were constructed nationwide over the past five years, while the government was pursuing a more ambitious expansion programme in 2026. “The amount of infrastructure that is being built this year alone, if you put the last five years together, we are doing more this year than the last five years put together,” he said.
Mr George stated that the expansion formed part of an assignment given to the Ministry by President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that communities across the country, particularly those with limited access to telecommunications services, benefited from reliable network connectivity.
At Akoefe Gadza, the Minister said the Rural Telephony facility was nearing completion, with the main structure already erected and engineers undertaking the remaining works, including connecting the site to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) network. He expressed optimism that the facility would become operational before the end of the weekend.
He noted that the government’s efforts to improve connectivity extended beyond the Rural Telephony programme implemented through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC).
He said the ministry is also collaborating with the National Communications Authority (NCA) and major telecommunications operators, including MTN and Telecel, to address network challenges in other parts of the country.
He assured residents that investments in telecommunications infrastructure would begin to yield noticeable improvements in network coverage by the end of 2026 and into early 2027.
He commended the Member of Parliament for Ho Central and the Volta Regional Minister for their sustained advocacy for improved telecommunications services and other development projects in the region.
The sector minister reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity alongside investments in roads, water and other essential infrastructure to accelerate development in underserved communities. He said the initiative was intended to ensure that no community was left behind as Ghana advanced its digital transformation agenda.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
