The Minister of Communication, Digital Expertise and Improvements, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a stark warning to all cell community operators within the nation to enhance the standard of companies by December 31, 2025, or face unprecedented monetary penalties, with a considerable portion of those fines instantly compensating affected clients.
The strict directive got here throughout a high-level assembly on Friday, Might 30, 2025, the place the minister convened with the CEOs and technical groups of MTN, Telecel, and AT.
His message was unequivocal and emphasised that regardless of huge infrastructure and visual presence throughout the nation, subscribers are enduring constantly poor service, significantly in quickly increasing city centres and essential regional cities.
“We’re not doing sentiments. We’re doing engineering,” Mr. George asserted, emphasising an action-driven method. “If in case you have infrastructure in place however your service is poor, we should start to take regulatory motion.”
The assembly featured a presentation by the Nationwide Communications Authority (NCA), primarily based on a complete evaluation of 48 localities nationwide.
This examine, prompted by a surge in public complaints, evaluated operators throughout 4 vital Key Efficiency Indicators (KPIs): 3G Protection, Name Setup Time (CST), Imply Opinion Rating (MOS) for name high quality, and 3G Knowledge Throughput.
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The findings revealed alarming inconsistencies in service supply throughout all three suppliers.
Mr. George, who additionally serves because the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, particularly cited examples from economically important areas like Amasaman and East Legon, highlighting how, regardless of expanded protection, the standard of service has sharply declined.
Components of the capital, Accra, are experiencing irritating community “blackouts” and substandard 4G efficiency.
The minister introduced {that a} full nationwide take a look at masking each district capital can be carried out by the NCA within the third quarter of 2025.
“On the idea of that end result, if we do not see enhancements, we must begin taking decisive motion,” he warned.
In a probably transformative coverage, Mr. George disclosed {that a} portion of any fines imposed on defaulting telcos would instantly profit the general public.
“About 40 per cent of any fines imposed on defaulting telcos can be returned to the affected shoppers, both by bonus information or name time,” he revealed.
This mechanism is designed to make sure tangible compensation for subscribers experiencing poor service, shifting past mere regulatory penalties.
Operators have been granted a strict 30-day window, expiring June 30, 2025, to finish the acceptance course of for newly allotted spectrum.
The minister harassed that by the tip of December, a demonstrable enchancment in service high quality, instantly linked to this new spectrum, can be anticipated.
“We all know you’ll be able to’t full upgrades in three months, however we should see that the method has begun. The Ghanaian individuals should really feel the impression of the spectrum rollout by the tip of this yr,” he underscored.
The telecommunications executives, recognising the gravity of the state of affairs, outlined important measures to deal with the issues.
MTN Ghana CEO, Stephen Blewett, introduced a considerable $230 million funding in 2024, earmarked for bolstering community infrastructure and IT programs. He additionally disclosed plans to open 300 new franchise shops, particularly focusing on underserved areas, and recruit 400 new front-facing employees with a devoted GH₵ 25 million inner price range. Upcoming self-service choices, together with SIM swaps and PIN resets with strong identification verification, are additionally within the pipeline to fight fraud.
Telecel Ghana Chief Working Officer, Mohamad Ghaddar, reiterated his firm’s dedication to superior buyer expertise, emphasising steady community optimisation.
Whereas acknowledging receipt of some spectrum, he harassed the continued want for extra to fulfill burgeoning demand.
Telecel is increasing its retail footprint, with over 400 outlets at present operational and plans so as to add 100 extra.
The corporate additionally highlighted its help companies for individuals with particular wants and welcomed regulatory suggestions.
AT CEO Leo Skarlatos acknowledged the general public because the “final stakeholder”.
He assured that AT is present process important community enhancements, that are anticipated to be “clearly seen by the primary quarter of the next yr.”
Skarlatos expressed confidence within the ongoing transformation and prolonged an open invitation for stakeholders to witness these enhancements firsthand early subsequent yr.
Past service high quality, the minister additionally touched upon information pricing.
He recalled the institution of a committee in February 2025 tasked with growing a strategic roadmap for gradual information price discount.
This method goals to keep away from market shocks, prioritising enhancements in worth (e.g., extra information for a similar worth) somewhat than fast, drastic worth cuts, to guard funding planning and trade viability.
This daring stance by the Ministry of Communication alerts a brand new period of stringent regulatory oversight, prioritising shopper expertise and holding telcos accountable for the standard of companies they supply in Ghana’s quickly evolving digital panorama.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially characterize the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
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