Ghana targets 70% 5G coverage by March 2027 – Sam George

The Minister for Communications, Digital Innovation and Technology, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that Ghana is targeting more than 70% 5G coverage by March 2027, as part of efforts to expand the country's digital infrastructure.

He said the government was also upgrading 2G and 3G rural telephony sites to 4G and 5G-ready networks to improve connectivity in underserved communities.

Sam George made the announcement while delivering Ghana's policy statement at the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar.

He said the country's digital transformation agenda must go beyond expanding network coverage to ensuring that people could afford, trust and use digital services.

"We've opened up 5G spectrum licencing, and by March 2027, when Ghana turns 70 and we invite the world to Accra, 5G will reach more than 70% of our people"

“A signal is not a connection, and a tower does not represent transformation. Coverage means little if people cannot afford it, cannot trust it, and cannot use it,” he told delegates.

The minister also disclosed that Ghana is building a national artificial intelligence (AI) compute centre to support research, innovation and enterprise.

He said the government is pursuing a One Million Coders Programme to equip young people with digital skills and support the country's technology development agenda.

The Minister further said Ghana is prepared to share its experience in cybersecurity with other member states, particularly in establishing Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and child online protection protocols.

He also called on the ITU to prioritise measurable outcomes in its strategic plan for 2027 to 2030, including connecting underserved communities and mobilising investment for last-mile connectivity.