Minister Begins Two-Day Tour to Assess Network Gaps And Digital Skills Centres
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has begun a two-day working tour of the Volta Region to assess telecommunications infrastructure, inspect digital skills training centres and address persistent network connectivity challenges.
The minister commenced the tour with a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, where he outlined plans to inspect selected facilities under the government’s One Million Coders Programme (OMCP) and the rural telephony project.
Hon. Sam George said the visit formed part of a nationwide assessment of installations and facilities under his ministry, following similar engagements in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Ashanti regions.
He explained that the tour would include visits to the Ho Community Information Centre (CIC), which serves as an OMCP training centre, the new rural telephony site at Akoefe Gadza in Ho Central, the Silverstone Youth ICT Lab in Agortime Ziope, and the old rural telephony site at Akoete.
According to the minister, the Volta Region has an OMCP centre in each of its 18 constituencies, although time constraints would allow him to visit only selected centres during the tour.
A major focus of the visit is the quality of telecommunications services in the region, which has been the subject of complaints from residents and political representatives.
Sam George acknowledged that improvements had been recorded in some areas, particularly Ho, following network upgrades by telecommunications operators. However, he stressed that more work was needed to ensure residents across the region received reliable services.
He disclosed that nearly 200 telecommunications sites in the Volta Region were either being constructed or upgraded by MTN and Telecel as part of ongoing efforts to improve network coverage and quality of service.
The minister said the National Communications Authority (NCA), acting through the ministry’s regulatory framework, had directed the two operators to address network challenges in affected areas.
He added that the government was also examining connectivity difficulties in rural and border communities, where residents sometimes rely on Togo’s Togocel network to make calls because of inadequate coverage from Ghanaian operators.
Hon. Sam George noted that reliance on foreign networks could expose residents to higher communication charges, making it necessary for the ministry to identify practical interventions to address the situation.
He said the inspection would allow officials to assess conditions on the ground rather than rely solely on reports and complaints submitted to the ministry.
Beyond telecommunications infrastructure, the minister highlighted the government’s commitment to digital skills development through the One Million Coders Programme, which uses Community Information Centres and other facilities to provide training opportunities.
He also acknowledged the cooperation of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in the fight against cybercrime and mobile money fraud.
Sam George recounted a case in which a suspect allegedly impersonated him to defraud people under the pretext of recruitment, explaining that the ministry’s cybersecurity team worked with relevant authorities in the Volta Region and Accra to pursue those involved.
He said the ministry had requested office space from the Regional Coordinating Council to establish a physical presence for cybersecurity operations in the region. He expressed appreciation to the regional administration for its positive response, adding that the support would help advance the government’s plans to expand cybersecurity and data protection services.
For his part, the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, welcomed the visit and commended the ministry for steps taken to address telecommunications challenges since the current administration assumed office.
Hon. James Gunu said reliable communication infrastructure was essential to the region’s security, healthcare delivery and economic development, particularly as the Volta Region sought to attract more investors.
He acknowledged improvements in network services but described the process as ongoing, adding that the Regional Coordinating Council would continue collaborating with the ministry to achieve the government’s digital development objectives.
The regional minister also highlighted the region’s participation in the One Million Coders Programme and the 1,000 Girls in ICT initiative, which he said had helped more young people, particularly girls, develop skills in information and communications technology.
Hon. Sam George’s two-day tour is expected to include further engagements in areas such as Ho, Agortime Ziope, Juapong and Adaklu, as the ministry continues its assessment of rural telephony facilities, network performance and digital skills training infrastructure across the region.
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