Players in the telecom industry have bemoaned delays in granting of licenses for the installation of telecommunication towers and other infrastructure.

According to them, the bureaucratic clearances and delays on the part of the regulatory agencies are greatly affecting the efficient delivery of voice and internet data services across the country.

Speaking to Joy Business at the Ghana Telecoms Chamber’s forum on Infrastructure, Chief Executive of the Chamber, Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey called on the National Communications Authority to deploy technology to ease the process.

According to him, the seven-month waiting time for mounting a tower could be reduced by the creation of an online portal.

"One of the ways to do this is to have a portal where all applications will be sent. Once the applications go onto that portal, National Communications Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, the municipal and district assemblies as well all relevant operators will see it”

The Chief Executive of ATC Ghana, Ashutosh Singh, called for innovative ways to utilise existing towers and infrastructure to expand internet connection.

"We have to rethink in terms of how to utilise existing infrastructure, buildings, street poles. Those are some of the innovations being employed for the expansion of coverage. However, a lot of corporation and policy will be required.”

Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Information Technology Agency, Richard Okyere-Fosu called for deepened collaboration to ensure the growth of the sector.