- Government Sets March 2027 Target for 70% 5G Coverage
Ghana is targeting 70 per cent nationwide 5G population coverage by March 6, 2027, as the government moves to accelerate the country’s digital transformation agenda and expand access to high-speed internet services.
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced the target at the 15th anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra, describing digital connectivity as a critical foundation for economic growth, innovation and national development.
“We are determined to ensure that by Independence Day in 2027, at least 70 percent of Ghana’s population will have access to 5G services,” Mr George said.
The planned rollout is expected to improve connectivity across the country and support new opportunities in business, education, healthcare, financial technology and public service delivery.
Government’s 5G ambition comes at a time when digital infrastructure is becoming central to economic competitiveness, with faster and more reliable networks increasingly required to support e-commerce, mobile financial services, artificial intelligence, remote learning, telemedicine, digital identity systems and data-driven public administration.
Mr George said the government sees digital technology as no longer optional but as the backbone of modern economies.
“Digital technology is no longer a luxury. It is the backbone of modern economies, and we must position Ghana to fully benefit from the opportunities of the digital age,” he stated.
The Minister said the government would continue to work with industry players and regulators to speed up the deployment of the infrastructure needed to support the expansion of 5G services nationwide.
He also stressed the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to bridge the digital divide and ensure that underserved communities are not excluded from Ghana’s next phase of technological advancement.
That challenge will be central to the success of the rollout. While 5G can unlock faster speeds, lower latency and more advanced digital applications, its real economic value will depend on affordability, device access, rural coverage, network reliability and the ability of businesses and public institutions to use the technology productively.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Ankomah, welcomed the Ministry’s target, describing it as a strategic move to position Ghana to take advantage of 5G technology.
“We commend the Ministry for the bold steps being taken to fast-track Ghana’s digital transformation through 5G deployment,” she said.
Ms Ankomah noted that the adoption of 5G would unlock new opportunities for innovation, investment and economic inclusion across several sectors of the economy.
She added that the telecommunications industry remains committed to supporting government efforts aimed at improving digital access and enhancing the quality of connectivity for Ghanaians.
For Ghana’s telecom operators, the 5G rollout could open new revenue opportunities beyond traditional voice and data services, particularly in enterprise connectivity, smart infrastructure, fintech, cloud services and digital platforms. However, it will also require substantial capital investment in network infrastructure, spectrum deployment, fibre connectivity, power systems and service quality upgrades.
The announcement also raises policy questions around competition, pricing, network sharing, rural access and the structure of Ghana’s 5G infrastructure model. These issues will determine whether the technology becomes broadly inclusive or remains concentrated in major urban centres and high-income customer segments.
For consumers, the promise of 5G is faster internet and improved digital services. For the economy, the bigger question is whether Ghana can convert improved connectivity into productivity gains, job creation, innovation and stronger participation in the digital economy.
The 15th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications brought together key stakeholders in the telecommunications and digital technology ecosystem to discuss the future of connectivity and innovation in Ghana.
With the March 2027 target now publicly stated, we will judge government and industry players by the speed, affordability, and inclusiveness of the rollout. For Ghana, the success of 5G will not be measured only by population coverage figures but by whether high-speed connectivity improves how people work, learn, trade, access healthcare and participate in the modern economy.
