Last year, in November, Ghana held a grand ceremony at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel to mark the launch of its first shared 4G/5G network under the Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC). Despite the fanfare, the service was not operational — and remains offline six months later.
Former Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful had promised that by December 2024, telcos — MTN, Telecel, and AT Ghana — would roll out live 5G. That deadline came and went, followed by extensions to January, May, and finally June 2025. Yet, as June comes to a close, 5G remains unavailable.
The delays stem from multiple operational and regulatory obstacles. NGIC promised 350 cell sites by June but has deployed fewer than 25. Although all necessary equipment is in-country, it remains in warehouses due to the lack of key regulatory approvals that would justify a full rollout.
Tower companies — essential to infrastructure deployment — are hesitant. Many individuals suffered financial losses due to previous unpaid telco debts, making them reluctant to re-engage without guarantees.
Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has been slow to issue approvals. Basic permissions for SIM testing and Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) use were delayed, while major approvals for full operations and telco participation are still pending. Additionally, spectrum interference — particularly in the 3.5 GHz and 2.1 GHz bands — continues to hinder technical readiness.
Current Minister Sam George has hinted at reviewing NGIC’s 10-year exclusive licence if the rollout does not proceed, though the company technically has three years to meet its key performance indicators.
Despite the challenges, NGIC’s neutral-host model promises significant benefits, including cost-effective network access for telcos, reduced infrastructure redundancy, and improved service for consumers.
For Ghana to unlock these benefits, regulators must act swiftly to remove bottlenecks. The infrastructure is ready — now, policy and regulatory support must catch up to ensure Ghanaians can finally experience the promised 5G future.
