The National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced plans to transition Ghana to a 5G network, marking a significant step forward in the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Speaking at the 12th R. P. Baffour Memorial lectures held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Director General of the NCA, Joe Anokye disclosed that necessary arrangements have been made for Ghana to migrate onto the 5G network soon.
According to him, the spectrum required for 5G is currently available, and he has stated that an official announcement regarding the transition to 5G will be made in 2024.
“Plans are well underway to implement 5G. We’ve ensured that the spectrum required for 5G is available. There are a few policy decisions that need to be made regarding how the spectrum will be made accessible. It is very complicated because of the market dynamics; we don’t want to proceed, and only one entity will have the capability of acquiring 5G. So, that discussion is ongoing. I definitely know that by the year 2024, the official announcement will be made.”
Furthermore, he stressed on the NCA’s commitment to help clamp down on television operators who broadcast “undesirable content”, as he urged the public to assist in this exercise by calling to report television stations that broadcast “undesirable content.”
“Recently, the National Media Commission collaborated with NCA to establish a system that allows citizens to report undesirable content. A number was provided, 800419666; in fact, you can place a call now. The NCA has built a state-of-the-art broadcast monitoring centre. The purpose of this is to ensure that entities we grant licenses to are in compliance with the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). However, the centre has the ability to record content.”
“The collaboration with the media commission is such that, if you call and report, the person taking the call will note down the name of the TV station. We have the capability to monitor the continuous recording of 150 TV stations. The service can also see all satellites that oversee Ghana’s territorial airspace. So, there are no TV station recordings that we can’t access.”
“When you call, they will quickly go to the program, record it, and at the end of the week, send the report to the National Media Commission, which will take appropriate action. I’m glad to say that the broadcast system set up by the NCA is the first in the sub-region. As we speak, regulators from the sub-region visit every other month to see the work of the National Media Commission and the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization.”
