{
  "id": 14670695,
  "title": "Communication Minister Inspects Rural Telephony Projects In Sekyere Afram Plains",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/communication-minister-inspects-rural-telephony-projects-in-sekyere",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T10:32:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Chronicle Ghana",
    "slug": "the-chronicle-ghana",
    "url": "https://thechronicle.com.gh/communication-minister-inspects-rural-telephony-projects-in-sekyere-afram-plains/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Communication Minister for Ghana, Samuel Nartey George, and the Administrator of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Rashid Tanko, recently visited rural telephony projects in the Sekyere Afram Plains District of the Ashanti Region. Their inspection aimed to assess the progress of work and plan future actions. The team inspected sites at Nyameama No. 1 and No. 2, Abanua, and Dawia. Minister George reported that Dawia will be operational immediately, while Abanua, Nyameama No. 1, and No. 2 should be powered by the end of the week.\n\nThe field visit was deemed important as the Ministry will meet with the contractor next week to evaluate completed work. The Ministry inherited contracts for 1,016 sites, and George emphasized the need for a comprehensive status update at the board level. He authorized an audit to determine the status of all sites, whether constructed, active, and carrying traffic.\n\nGeorg highlighted battery issues as a key challenge, urging traditional authorities and community members to protect batteries, as their theft renders sites inoperable. Other reported issues included problems with prepaid meters and ECG meters, as well as tampered batteries in solar-powered sites. Despite some communities lacking electricity, George assured the people of Sekyere Afram Plains that the government provides connectivity ahead of time, as connectivity is crucial across the country. The Minister explained that telcos may not invest in small communities due to the economic consequences of mounting a full telecom mast, which relies on electricity and generators, and may not generate sufficient revenue to cover operational costs.\n\nTo address this, telecommunication companies contribute to GIFEC to build community networks. The government is committed to upgrading rural networks from 3G to 4G to provide a real digital experience to people in rural areas. Minister George emphasized President John Dramani Mahama's and the Finance Minister's assurance to provide necessary resources for continued investment in rural telephony, as connectivity is essential for everyone.",
  "summary": "Mr Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and the Administrator of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Mr. Rashid Tanko, have inspected Rural Telephony Projects in four communities in the Sekyere Afram Plains District in the Ashanti Region to assess the progress of work and the way forward. […] The post Communication…",
  "key_points": [
    "Dawia site operational immediately, Abanua, Nyameama No. 1, and No. 2 to be powered by end of week.",
    "Battery theft and prepaid meter issues identified as key challenges hindering project progress."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}