{
  "id": 6248772,
  "title": "Ghana to begin deployment of 5G by close of 2026 – Minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/ghana-to-begin-deployment-of-5g-by-close-of-2026-minister",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-08T06:14:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghana Business News",
    "slug": "ghana-business-news",
    "url": "https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2026/09/08/ghana-to-begin-deployment-of-5g-by-close-of-2026-minister/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, has announced that Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) plans to complete a 5G spectrum assignment and begin its deployment before the end of 2026. The purpose of this deployment is to provide faster data speeds, ultra-low latency, and massive device connectivity, transforming both consumer experiences and industrial automation. During a Government Accountability Series Press Conference at the Jubilee House in Accra, Mr George outlined several initiatives to advance Ghana's digital and communications sector. These include the launch of an online licensing and payment portal, the finalization of the road excavation coordination framework, cost recovery penalties, and the initiation of an emergency telecommunications framework. The Minister emphasized the importance of rapidly completing network quality upgrades, stating that it is mandatory and non-negotiable. He also revealed that many cell sites serving Ghana's rural and remote communities still rely on legacy 2G and 3G technology, which is insufficient to support mobile money transactions, digital agricultural advice, e-learning platforms, or telemedicine consultations. To bridge this gap, the Ministry is prioritizing the upgrade of 2G and 3G masts and infrastructure in rural districts, transforming them into 4G and 5G capable infrastructure with fibre and microwave backhaul for real broadband speeds. In July 2026, the NCA approved a significant reform of Ghana's 5G policy, removing a wholesale 5G exclusivity framework that constrained competition in high-speed mobile broadband. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), mobile network operators, and the NCA are working together to upgrade ageing 2G and 3G masts in rural areas, making them compatible with 4G and 5G technologies. Early this year, the NCA undertook the most significant reform of Ghana's 5G policy, and following comprehensive regulatory, economic, and legal assessments, the Board approved it on July 15, 2026. The Ministry also announced that the Ghana Domain Name Registry would finalize the GH replicated agreement before the end of the year, accrediting 10 additional local registries and convening the Ghana DNS forum to advance the adoption of the global internet addressing system.",
  "summary": "Mr Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, has announced that the National Communications Authority (NCA) is scheduled to complete a 5G spectrum assignment before the end of 2026, and begin its deployment. The post Ghana to begin deployment of 5G by close of 2026 – Minister appeared first on Ghana Business News .",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}