SPEECH BY URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION AT THE LAUNCH OF 5G IN GHANA
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour and privilege to be part of Ghana’s remarkable journey from the first generation to the fifth generation of communications networks and services. Today, we celebrate not just a technological evolution but a testament to our resilience, innovation, and collective progress as a nation.
The advent of the first-generation (1G) mobile networks marked a revolutionary step in communications when mobile phones could only do basic voice calls and were huge devices carried in a box. The introduction of 1G in the early 1990s however ushered in a new world of connectivity, albeit in its most rudimentary form. For the first time, Ghanaians experienced the liberation that wireless communication offered, shrinking distances and making real-time communication possible across various regions.
As the years progressed, the launch of second-generation (2G) networks in the 2000s further transformed our communication landscape. With 2G, we witnessed the proliferation of SMS services, enabling the exchange of text messages that became an integral part of our daily lives. This era brought increased clarity in voice communications and paved the way for more reliable and secure mobile interactions. It also marked the beginning of data transmission, at slow speeds, laying the groundwork for future advancements.
The dawn of the new millennium ushered in the third generation (3G) of mobile networks. With 3G launched in mid-2000, we entered a new epoch of connectivity. It was more than just voice and messaging; it was the introduction of the mobile internet. Ghanaians could now access emails, browse the web, and use data-driven applications on their mobile devices. This stimulated an appetite for information and spurred the growth of mobile-enabled businesses. 3G enabled mobile telephony to impact our economy, education, health, and overall societal interactions.
Our journey continued with the rollout of fourth-generation (4G) networks. Fast and reliable, 4G transformed how we use technology, providing the speed necessary for high-quality streaming, real-time gaming, and seamless connectivity of smart devices. This development enhanced individual consumer experiences and empowered businesses with unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. E-commerce, fintech solutions, online education, and telemedicine thrived, bringing immense socio-economic benefits to our population.
And now, as we stand on the brink of an even more groundbreaking advancement, we embrace the fifth generation (5G) of communications networks. The potential of 5G extends beyond mere incremental improvements; it is a revolutionary leap forward that promises to redefine connectivity, productivity, and overall quality of life. With its unparalleled speed, low latency, and enormous capacity, 5G has the potential to drive innovations in every sector—agriculture, health, transport, manufacturing, and beyond. The Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and smart cities are no longer futuristic concepts but imminent realities ready to transform our ways of living and working.
5G has now arrived in Ghana, marking a significant step forward in our digital journey. The initial rollout focus is on major cities, starting today, where we anticipate residents in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi will begin experiencing the benefits almost immediately; once the network operators activate it. Our goal is to achieve coverage across additional urban areas by the end of 2024. For full nationwide coverage, including rural regions, we are looking at a multi-phase approach, aiming for comprehensive access by 2026. This timeline ensures a methodical deployment that aligns with infrastructure readiness and quality assurance.
As we embark on this 5G journey, we must acknowledge the collaborative efforts that have brought us this far. The government, industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and, indeed, the people of Ghana have worked in unison to create a conducive environment for technological advancement. Policies have been instituted to foster investment, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring that every Ghanaian is included in this digital revolution.
Moreover, our educational institutions are pivotal in preparing the next generation of tech-savvy Ghanaians. Initiatives to enhance digital literacy and skills development are in full swing, ensuring that our youth can harness the opportunities that 5G will present. We are constructing a Digital Youth Hub at the university of Ghana which should serve as a prime hub for the development of Ghana specific 5G use cases in all the critical sectors of the economy. This high-speed shared network can only help accelerate that exciting development, and we hope to replicate this on other campuses.
However, we remain cognizant of the challenges ahead while celebrating these advancements. Cybersecurity, data privacy, and equitable access are issues we are addressing head on. Our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth has motivated us to build a robust framework that safeguards our digital future.
Data privacy and security are critical components of our digital strategy. We are implementing stringent data protection protocols aligned with international standards to safeguard user information as 5G becomes widely available. This includes end-to-end encryption and advanced cybersecurity measures to protect against potential breaches. Additionally, we are working with industry experts to continuously monitor network security, ensuring that any emerging threats are quickly addressed. We aim to build a trusted digital environment where Ghanaians can fully benefit from 5G while feeling secure about their data.
The journey from 1G to 5G epitomises Ghana’s unwavering quest for progress and prosperity. Each generation of technology has brought us closer, empowered us, and expanded our horizons. As we move forward, let us harness the transformative power of 5G to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and improve the lives of all Ghanaians.
We are committed to ensuring that 5G benefits all Ghanaians, regardless of their location. As part of our rural inclusion strategy, we’ve developed an initiative to subsidise infrastructure costs in underserved areas. We are working with our partners to leverage satellite and wireless solutions, which are often more feasible for rural deployment. Our Universal Service Fund, managed by GIFEC, is now largely dedicated to rural connectivity projects, reinforcing our commitment to digital equity. This approach will deliver fast, reliable 4G and 5G services to communities that have traditionally faced connectivity challenges.
Affordability is a priority in our 5G rollout plan. We are collaborating closely with telecom services providers to offer affordable data plans catering to various needs and budgets. Additionally, the government is exploring public-private partnerships to reduce consumer costs. Through these efforts, we aim to make 5G accessible to businesses, small enterprises, students, urban residents, and low-income households. Our goal is to create a digital ecosystem where high-speed connectivity is within the reach of everyone.
I must however reiterate that the past has lessons for the present and the future. We have deliberately chosen as a matter of policy to build a shared neutral wholesale network to deliver 5G because of the negative fallout from previous spectrum auctions in Ghana. NGIC has been granted exclusivity for 10 years to enable them invest in rolling out the 4G/5G infrastructure nationwide in the shortest possible time, for all network operators to use to deliver services to their subscribers.
This will create an even playing field and encourage them to compete fairly, not on network rollout, but on service offerings. If you live in the initial 5G catchment area and still can’t access 5G by December, call out your network operator because they have to make it available to you.
I extend my gratitude to all who have been instrumental in this journey—the pioneers, the policy-makers, the innovators, and every Ghanaian who has embraced and supported these technological advancements. I must single out our President, Nana Akufo-Addo for special commendation.
Thank you sir, for being a visionary, for seeing the benefits of digitalisation and driving your Vice President, Dr. Bawumia and myself as sector minister to extend connectivity nationwide and build various digital applications and services on that.
Thank you for laying a firm foundation for the exponential growth of our digital economy, including pushing us to launch 5G in record time. Thank you for believing in Ghanaian ingenuity, talent and innovation. Posterity will judge you very favourably. You have set us off on the path to building a future where technology and connectivity are pillars of our nation’s development.
May our collective efforts propel Ghana to greater heights in global communications.
Thank you for your attention.
