
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, has announced that five new telephony cell sites will be activated in the Ashanti Region by October 2026. Speaking during an inspection of project sites in the Sekyere Afram Plains district, the Minister highlighted that these installations are a core component of the government's Rural Telephony Project. This initiative is designed to bridge the digital divide by extending reliable network coverage to underserved and remote communities across the country.
During his visit, Minister George emphasized the necessity of upgrading rural telecommunications infrastructure to 4G standards. He cautioned that failing to provide high-speed connectivity in rural areas would only widen the existing digital gap between urban and rural populations. The Minister also disclosed a significant partnership with MTN Ghana, which aims to deploy 800 new telecommunications sites nationwide. This collaboration is expected to enhance digital inclusion and support local economies by providing the necessary infrastructure for modern communication and digital services.
In addition to the new installations, the Minister announced a forthcoming audit of all existing telephony sites to verify their operational status and ensure they are delivering the intended services to the public. He urged local traditional and political authorities to take an active role in protecting the new infrastructure from vandalism or neglect. District Chief Executive Abubakar Issaka expressed his support for these initiatives, noting that improved connectivity would be transformative for the people of Sekyere Afram Plains and the wider Ashanti Region.