Telecom Chamber Urges NCA to Fast-Track 5G Rollout to Fix Network Quality Gaps
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, has called on the National Communications Authority (NCA) to provide clear direction and accelerate the rollout of 5G technology to address persistent quality of service challenges in Ghana’s telecom sector.
Speaking at an industry forum, she stressed that while operators remain committed to improving customer experience, the ability to deliver consistent, high-quality service is heavily dependent on access to critical resources, particularly spectrum for next-generation technologies.
“Our number one priority is to ensure that customers receive the value they are paying for,” she said. “But that commitment relies on certain resources, and one critical resource is 5G.”
She noted that Ghana is already lagging behind in the global technology curve, estimating that the country is about six years behind in its 5G journey, even as other markets begin exploring 6G capabilities.
According to her, the lack of a clear and timely framework for 5G deployment risks undermining efforts by telecom operators to improve network performance and meet rising consumer expectations.
“Why are we holding back on 5G?” she questioned, urging policymakers to accelerate decision-making processes around spectrum allocation and rollout timelines.
Owusu-Ankomah pointed out that the government’s ambitious target of achieving 70 per cent 5G coverage within a short timeframe would be difficult to realise without immediate action from regulators.
“That reality is not going to happen if we have not started moving the clock,” she cautioned, calling for clarity on timelines and implementation pathways.
She further highlighted the growing pressure on telecom networks, driven by increased data consumption and evolving digital demands, stressing that existing infrastructure, particularly 4G networks, requires complementary upgrades to meet future needs.
Beyond infrastructure, she raised concerns about the low penetration of 5G-enabled devices in Ghana, revealing that fewer than 40,000 such devices are currently in use nationwide.
She argued that without deliberate policies to improve device affordability and accessibility, investments in advanced network infrastructure could remain underutilised.
“We must ensure that as we invest in infrastructure, we are also closing the usage gap by making devices accessible to consumers,” she said.
The telecom industry leader also called for a more investor-friendly regulatory environment, noting that telecom investments are capital-intensive and require long-term stability to yield returns.
She cautioned against policy inconsistencies and regulatory uncertainties that could disrupt business planning and undermine investor confidence.
“Telecoms is not a space where you invest today and expect returns tomorrow. It requires long-term capital planning, and stability is key,” she emphasised.
Despite the challenges, she commended the NCA for its role in driving innovation within the sector, citing initiatives such as tower co-location, infrastructure sharing, and mobile number portability as key milestones that have strengthened competition and improved efficiency.
She, however, maintained that the next phase of industry growth will depend on bold regulatory action, particularly in unlocking the 5G spectrum to enable operators to enhance service quality, expand coverage, and support Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda.
“With the right direction from the NCA, we can unlock the full potential of 5G and deliver the level of service quality that Ghanaians expect,” she concluded.
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