The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George has assured residents of Akoefe Gadza and surrounding communities that the government is taking concrete steps to address poor telecommunications connectivity across the country.

According to the sector minister, a rural telephony site located a few metres from the community is nearing completion and is expected to significantly improve network coverage in the area before the end of the week.

Mr. Nartey George made the disclosure when he visited Akoefe Gadza to inspect ongoing work on the rural telephony project and interact with the chiefs and community members.

He said the visit formed part of an assignment from President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that every part of the country has access to reliable telecommunications services.

“Just a few metres from here, we have a rural telephony site that is almost complete. The structure has been put up and, as we speak, the engineers are wrapping up and doing the ECG connection. I am confident that before the end of the weekend, that site will be up and it will boost the network in the area,” he said.

The Minister acknowledged persistent concerns raised by the Volta Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for the area regarding poor network connectivity, noting that both leaders had consistently lobbied his ministry for improved telecommunications infrastructure.

He commended the Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu for what he described as his relentless efforts to securing development projects for his constituents.

“Your MP does not sleep. He is constantly on my neck. I know it is not just me. When we meet in Cabinet and we talk about the troublesome MPs, his name always comes up. He is chasing every minister to make sure that we bring development to the people,” Mr. Nartey George stated.

He added that the government won’t limit its development interventions in the area to telecommunications but will also work to improve access to water, roads and other essential infrastructure.

The Minister stressed that the government is working with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) on rural telephony projects while the National Communications Authority (NCA) collaborates with major telecommunications operators including MTN and Telecel to address broader network challenges.

He assured residents that the interventions were expected to improve telecommunications services across the country by the end of the year and into early next year.

The Minister further disclosed that the scale of telecommunications infrastructure being deployed in 2026 was significantly greater than what had been undertaken in previous years.

He said while approximately 600 new cell sites had been constructed across the country in the previous five years, the government was undertaking a much larger infrastructure expansion programme this year alone.

He pledged the government’s commitment to closing the digital divide and ensuring that communities, particularly those in underserved areas, have access to reliable communication services.

He was accompanied by officials of GIFEC and other stakeholders during the inspection of the rural telephony project at Akoefe Gadza.