Samuel Nartey George announces audit of rural telephony project

The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced a comprehensive national audit of the Rural Telephony Project. Speaking during a working tour of the Ashanti Region, the Minister explained that the initiative is intended to ensure taxpayers receive value for money from the project, which was inherited from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. This move signals a significant effort by the current government to assess the efficiency and financial integrity of digital infrastructure projects initiated prior to the 2025 transition.

The announcement came as part of a 48-hour working tour of the Ashanti Region, where the Minister is evaluating various ongoing digital infrastructure projects and their impact on underserved communities. The tour includes site visits to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and several community information centers. Mr. George emphasized that the physical verification of these sites is necessary to confirm that progress on the ground matches official reports, moving beyond paperwork to ensure real-world results.

The audit is framed as a crucial step to strengthen accountability within the communications sector. By scrutinizing the expenditures and implementation of the rural telephony initiative, the Ministry aims to identify any gaps or inefficiencies that may have occurred during the previous administration's tenure. This effort aligns with President John Mahama’s broader Reset Agenda, which seeks to improve telecommunications services and expand digital access across the country to bridge the digital divide.

Beyond the audit, the Minister's engagement in the Ashanti Region is intended to foster dialogue with local stakeholders and ensure that digital transformation efforts are meeting the specific needs of rural populations. The findings of the national audit are expected to inform future strategies for rural connectivity. This will ensure that the government’s investment in digital technology translates into tangible benefits for all Ghanaians, particularly those in previously marginalized areas who rely on these services for economic and social development.