The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has disclosed that the government is implementing a national roaming policy that will allow network operators to leverage each other’s infrastructure.
Speaking at the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) in Accra, the Minister said the policy would enable telecommunication networks to roam on each other’s networks where necessary, benefiting consumers. The WTISD event, organized by the NCA, was held under the theme “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development.”
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful noted that WTISD serves as a reminder of the tremendous impact that telecommunications and ICTs have had on lives, businesses, and the economic growth of all countries.
Mobile connectivity
The Minister stated that the roaming policy would enhance mobile connectivity across the country.
“We’re implementing a National Roaming Policy where networks can roam on each other’s networks where necessary to benefit the consumer seamlessly. So regardless of where you are, your phone will pick up the strongest signal, regardless of which network operator you use,” she noted.
She indicated that the policy forms part of the government’s Digital Ghana agenda, aimed at driving digitalisation across all sectors through innovation, investments in infrastructure, enhanced skills development, and an enabling regulatory environment.
The Minister expressed optimism that the policy would help bridge remaining connectivity gaps, especially in underserved areas.
The national roaming framework comes as the government undertakes major digital infrastructure projects to connect the 20% of Ghanaians who remain unconnected to the internet and digital services.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful mentioned the Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project, which aims to construct 2,016 new cell sites nationwide, with over half already completed.
She announced that the government would build 1,006 cell sites by September this year to complement the 1,010 already constructed cell sites.
“This will ensure that about 20% of our population that are currently not connected will also get the opportunity to benefit from digital innovations,” she stated. She stressed the need for collaboration among the various government agencies and regulators overseeing the digital ecosystem.
WTISD commemoration
For his part, the Director-General of the NCA, Joe Anokye, said the Authority, as a member state of the ITU, accords WTISD with optimum importance and had been commemorating it locally over the years.
He added that digital innovation had emerged as a potent catalyst for sustainable development. “It is in that regard that the Government of Ghana is championing the Digital Agenda, which is an all-sector-inclusive initiative to propel the nation’s digital economy,” he said.
He also called for collaborative efforts to develop conditions enabling digital entrepreneurship, adopt emerging technologies, drive sustainable digital innovation, empower innovators, and forge local and global partnerships.
Repair works
He further announced that repair works on all subsea cables damaged recently had been completed. Ghana experienced disruptions in data services on March 14 due to undersea cable outages.
All four subsea cable landing service providers in Ghana—ACR, MainOne, SAT-3, and WACS—were entirely cut off from international data services.
Dr. Anokye confirmed that repairs on the damaged cables had been completed and internet services fully restored.
“Repair works on the SAT-3 cable were completed on April 6, 2024; the ACE cable was repaired on April 17, 2024; the WACS cable was repaired on April 29, 2024; and repairs on the MainOne cable were completed on May 8, 2024,” he stated.
pppMeanwhile, prpesentations were made by three local entities using digital innovation and technology to provide solutions within the Ghanaian economy.
pThe entities were Complete Farmer Ltd, providers of farming solutions including the platform for buyers to access directly and vice versa; Glico E-Health, providers of virtual access to medical doctors and mobile laboratory and pharmacy services, and Reservoir Management Group, an organization using cutting-edge AI technology to elevate health, safety and security at the workplace.
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