The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has directed the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) to fast-track efforts to extend telecommunications services to three additional communities in the Sekyere Afram Plains District of the Ashanti Region
The directive followed an inspection of four Rural Telephony Project sites at Nyameama No. 1, Nyameama No. 2, Dawia and Abenua on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to assess progress, identify implementation challenges and ensure timely completion of outstanding works.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the District Chief Executive for Sekyere Afram Plains, Hon. Abubakar Issaka; GIFEC Administrator, Mr. Rashid Tanko Computer; and officials from the Ministry and GIFEC, expressed optimism that the remaining works would be completed within a short period.
He said the Rural Telephony Project was aimed at bridging the digital divide by extending network coverage to communities that telecommunications operators might otherwise consider commercially unviable.
Hon. George also announced plans for a comprehensive audit of Rural Telephony Project sites inherited by the current administration. The exercise would establish the completion status of the sites and verify whether facilities reported as operational were actually providing network services.
He urged traditional authorities and residents to protect installed equipment to prevent damage and service disruptions.
The Minister further stressed the need to upgrade existing rural networks from 3G to 4G, warning that advancing digital services in urban centres without corresponding improvements in rural communities could widen the digital divide as Ghana moves towards wider 5G deployment.
He disclosed that the government was also collaborating with MTN Ghana to deploy 800 new telecommunications sites nationwide. The locations were identified through engagements with Members of Parliament, who submitted communities experiencing persistent network challenges.
According to him, communities in the Sekyere Afram Plains District were among those prioritised for improved coverage. He commended the area’s Member of Parliament for advocating better telecommunications services and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing network gaps across the country.
For his part, the District Chief Executive, Hon. Abubakar Issaka, commended the Minister for prioritising the district’s connectivity needs and pledged the Assembly’s support in protecting and maintaining the facilities.
The inspection forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to monitor rural telecommunications projects, resolve implementation challenges and extend reliable digital connectivity to underserved communities across Ghana.
