Telcos Push NCA to Streamline Regulation to Boost Investor Confidence

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, has called for a more streamlined and predictable regulatory environment, urging the National Communications Authority (NCA) to strengthen policy clarity and stability to sustain investor confidence in Ghana’s telecommunications sector.

Speaking at an industry forum, she emphasised that while Ghana’s telecom industry has made significant strides over the years, the next phase of growth will depend heavily on regulatory consistency and long-term policy direction.

According to her, telecommunications investments are capital-intensive and require long-term planning, making stability in regulation critical for operators to commit resources confidently.

“Telecoms is not one of those industries where you invest today and expect returns tomorrow. It is a long-term capital expenditure, and that means the regulatory environment must be predictable and supportive,” she stated.

Madam Owusu-Ankomah noted that investor confidence goes beyond attracting new entrants; it also involves retaining and supporting existing operators who have committed significant capital to the sector.

She cautioned that frequent regulatory changes, additional fees, or shifts in licensing conditions could disrupt business models and discourage further investment.

“To ensure sustained growth, government must create an environment where investments are protected and where operators can make returns without unexpected regulatory shocks,” she said.

She stressed that aligning licensing conditions with long-term policy commitments would help prevent uncertainty and create a more investor-friendly ecosystem.

While advocating reforms, she commended the NCA for several key interventions that have shaped the industry, including mobile number portability, infrastructure sharing, and tower co-location policies.

These measures, she noted, have reduced duplication, improved efficiency, and enabled broader network expansion across the country.

“Today, operators are no longer building isolated infrastructure. We are sharing towers and collaborating more, and that has helped deepen connectivity and reduce costs,” she explained.

She also highlighted the role of the regulator in promoting innovation and expanding digital platforms, describing the NCA as one of the more progressive regulators in the region.

Beyond regulation, the Chamber CEO pointed to a growing disconnect between network coverage and actual usage, noting that despite widespread 4G coverage, many sites remain underutilised.

She attributed this in part to limited access to affordable smart devices and called for targeted incentives to make internet-enabled phones more accessible.

“Coverage alone is not enough. We must ensure people have the devices to use these networks. Otherwise, we will continue to see a usage gap even where infrastructure exists,” she said.

She revealed that Ghana currently has fewer than 40,000 5G-enabled devices, raising concerns about the viability of aggressive rollout targets without corresponding device penetration.

Madam Owusu-Ankomah also stressed the importance of integrating telecommunications infrastructure into national development planning, particularly in the built environment.

She advocated for policies that incorporate fibre connectivity and smart infrastructure into housing and construction standards, aligning telecom expansion with urban development.

“As we move into an era of smart homes, digital infrastructure must become part of our building requirements, just like electricity and water systems,” she noted.

On the future of connectivity, she urged the regulator to provide clear timelines and frameworks for next-generation technologies, particularly 5G, to enable operators to plan effectively.

She warned that delays in policy direction could widen Ghana’s technological gap, noting that the country is already several years behind in the 5G transition.

“The earlier we provide clarity on rollout timelines and spectrum allocation, the better positioned we will be as a country,” she said.

She concluded by calling for deeper collaboration between regulators and industry players, emphasising that sustainable growth will require joint effort and continuous dialogue.

According to her, the progress achieved over the past decades demonstrates what can be accomplished through cooperation, but the next phase demands even greater alignment.

“Our priority as an industry is clear: secure the resources, create the right environment, and unlock the opportunities that will drive Ghana’s digital future,” she said.

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