The government says about 1,100 new telecommunications sites are being deployed by MTN and Telecel across Ghana as part of efforts to ease network congestion and improve customer experience.
Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George said MTN is deploying about 800 sites, while Telecel is expected to add approximately 350, with the rollout representing one of the biggest increases in telecommunications infrastructure in recent years.
He made the disclosure during a nationwide inspection of rural telephony infrastructure and digital facilities, including sites in the Eastern Region.
Mr George said close to 180 of MTN’s new sites had already been completed, with the company expected to reach about 400 by the end of 2026 and complete the full rollout by the first or second quarter of 2027.
He said the expansion was necessary to address persistent congestion and improve the quality of services available to consumers.
“Ultimately, that is what brings value to the customer,” the Minister said, stressing that cheaper data would have limited impact if subscribers continued to experience poor network quality.
The government is also spending about GH¢30 million this year through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) to improve rural telecommunications infrastructure.
Mr George said part of the allocation was being used for immediate remedial works on existing rural telephony sites, including sites affected by equipment damage, power surges, lightning strikes and cabling problems.
He explained that some of the challenges had arisen because the specifications of equipment under the original rural telephony contract no longer fully matched newer equipment designs.
The Minister said about 1,400 rural telephony sites are currently carrying traffic, while another 300 completed sites are awaiting connection to donor sites. About 300 additional sites remain under construction.
The Minister said about 1,400 rural telephony sites are currently carrying traffic, while another 300 completed sites are awaiting connection to donor sites. About 300 additional sites remain under construction.
The Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project was designed to deploy 2,016 sites to extend voice and data connectivity to underserved communities across the country.
Mr George said the expansion of conventional cell sites would also help free up some existing rural telephony infrastructure.
Where a new commercial telecommunications site is established in a community currently served by a rural telephony mast, he said, the existing equipment could eventually be redeployed to another community without adequate coverage.
He also urged communities to cooperate with telecommunications companies working on new sites, particularly by addressing concerns about telecommunications masts.
Mr George said cell sites are subject to regulatory monitoring and urged residents not to obstruct their construction based on concerns about radiation.
He said the NCA, Ghana Standards Authority and Radiation Protection Institute provide regulatory oversight to ensure that telecommunications infrastructure meets safety standards.