Joe Anokye, Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), has revealed that the essential arrangements have been completed for Ghana to transition to the 5G network as soon as possible.
The spectrum necessary for 5G, according to him, is presently available, and he has claimed that a formal statement on the transition to 5G will be made in 2024.
He made this comment during the 12th R. P. Baffour Memorial Lectures at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
“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.”
Read Also: Ministry of Transport to introduce non-approval visa-on-arrival for visitors
As a result, he is urging various institutions to improve local internet services in order to assure the effectiveness of the 5G system whenever it is launched.
Mr. Joe Anokye, in partnership with the National Media Commission, also reaffirmed the NCA’s willingness to assist in the prosecution of television operators who broadcast “undesirable content.” He is urging the public to report television stations that broadcast “undesirable content” as soon as possible.
“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.”
