Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has given MTN a 30-day deadline to improve telecommunications services in Adaklu in the Volta Region, following persistent complaints about poor network coverage in the area.
The minister gave the deadline on Friday, October 16, during a visit to the Adaklu Traditional Area alongside the District Chief Executive, Jerry Yaw Ameko, as part of a nationwide tour of telecommunications infrastructure and digital skills training centres.
George said efforts were underway to address connectivity problems in the area, disclosing that work was ongoing at approximately 13 locations to improve telecommunications services.
He also revealed that plans were being made to facilitate the deployment of an additional major telecommunications mast by MTN to strengthen network coverage and improve access to reliable communication services for residents.
The intervention is expected to address longstanding difficulties experienced by communities in Adaklu, where inadequate network coverage has affected residents’ access to telecommunications services.
The minister’s visit included inspections of several telecommunications and digital development facilities across the district. These included the former Rural Telephony Project site at Adaklu-Blidokope, the One Million Coders Programme centre at Adaklu-Waya, and new Rural Telephony Project sites at Adaklu-Dawanu and Adaklu-Kpetsu.
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The inspections formed part of the government’s efforts to assess the progress of telecommunications infrastructure projects and digital skills initiatives, particularly in communities that remain underserved.
George said the ministry would work through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA) to monitor the projects and ensure they were completed within the stipulated timelines.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that the facilities were not only completed but also put to effective use to improve connectivity and expand access to digital services.
The 30-day deadline places pressure on MTN to deliver improvements within the specified period, as the government intensifies efforts to address persistent network challenges and expand telecommunications access beyond major urban centres.
Poor network coverage remains a concern for communities seeking reliable access to mobile communication and other services that depend on telecommunications infrastructure. Expanding coverage in underserved areas is also an important part of efforts to ensure that more residents can participate in the country’s growing digital economy.
During the visit, the Paramount Chief of the Adaklu Traditional Area, Togbega Gbogbi Atsa V, and other traditional leaders welcomed the government’s intervention, drawing attention to the difficulties residents face because of inadequate network connectivity.
The traditional authorities called for similar interventions in other underserved communities, stressing the need to extend telecommunications infrastructure to areas where residents continue to experience poor service.
George also expressed condolences to the people of Adaklu following the death of one of their prominent sons and assured the traditional authorities of the government’s support.
The visit forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to expand rural telecommunications infrastructure, improve digital skills development and bridge the digital divide between urban and underserved communities.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
