The government has issued a stern, final ultimatum to Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC), demanding the full rollout of Ghana's highly anticipated 5G network by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Failure to meet this deadline will trigger an immediate review and potential renegotiation of the company's operating licence, marking a critical juncture for the nation's digital future.

This decisive warning from the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation comes after NGIC, initially awarded the mandate to deliver nationwide high-speed 5G services under a revolutionary shared infrastructure model, missed two previous deadlines in November 2024 and June 2025.

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Addressing a press conference in Accra, Minister Samuel Nartey George left no room for ambiguity regarding the government's resolve.

"Let me declare that we have agreed with NGIC that there will be no further extensions to this rollout deadline. If the company fails to meet the Q4 deadline commitment, the ministry will immediately initiate a review and possible renegotiation of the licence term," Mr. George firmly stated.

Despite the persistent delays that have left many Ghanaians eager for cutting-edge connectivity, the Minister acknowledged some tangible progress. NGIC has reportedly already deployed 16 5G-ready sites and successfully secured full regulatory approval for its core network infrastructure from the National Communications Authority (NCA).

With the clock now ticking, the government expects tangible results on the ground. By the end of Q4 2025, NGIC is mandated to have at least 50 operational 5G sites in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana's two largest metropolitan areas. "We have set a final deadline of Q4 2025, where at least 50 live 5G sites are expected in Accra and Kumasi," Mr. George reiterated. "These milestones reflect meaningful progress following earlier delays in 2024."

The deployment of 5G is not merely a technological upgrade but a cornerstone of Ghana's broader digital transformation agenda. Touted as the fifth generation of wireless technology, 5G promises revolutionary benefits, including significantly faster internet speeds (up to 10 Gbps), ultra-low latency (critical for real-time applications), and massively improved capacity for simultaneous device connections. These advancements are poised to revolutionize diverse sectors, from enhancing remote education and telehealth services to accelerating financial transactions, enabling smart cities, and transforming entertainment delivery across the nation of over 34 million people.

Minister George underscored the strategic rationale behind Ghana's unique 5G deployment model. "The national rollout model is a deliberate policy shift to reduce infrastructure duplication, lower data costs, and accelerate universal 5G access for all Ghanaians," he explained.

This shared infrastructure approach aims to avoid the costly and inefficient duplication of towers and equipment seen in previous generations of mobile technology, thereby promoting affordability and wider reach.

The government has committed to close collaboration with NGIC to ensure transparent, efficient, and customer-centric implementation. As the final deadline approaches, all eyes will be on NGIC to deliver on its promise and usher Ghana fully into the era of advanced digital connectivity.