“We Will Ensure Last-Mile Connectivity for Rural Ghana” – Sam George

The Communications Minister Designate, Sam George, has pledged a comprehensive and aggressive approach to ensuring universal internet access across Ghana, particularly in rural areas.

Speaking during his vetting on Thursday, he emphasized the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through strategic investments and policy reforms.

“My appointor, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the great-grandson of Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa, comes from a village, a rural community. And one of my marching orders is to ensure universal access,” Sam George stated.

He highlighted President Mahama’s recent visit to Kenya, where he endorsed a continental commitment to universal access to electricity and the internet. The minister-designate outlined the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) as the primary vehicle for rural connectivity, revealing plans to expand its mandate into a Digital Economy Development Fund. This expansion, he noted, would enable GIFEC to take on a more ambitious role in transforming Ghana’s digital infrastructure.

Sam George drew a parallel between former President Jerry John Rawlings’ rural electrification initiatives and the current administration’s vision for last-mile internet connectivity. “As we saw rural electrification under Jerry John Rawlings, you will see massive rural last-mile connectivity under John Dramani Mahama,” he assured.

He further stressed the importance of spectrum allocation, particularly through Ghana’s long-delayed digital switchover, which should have been completed in 2015. The switchover, he explained, would free up valuable television white spaces for broadband expansion.

Additionally, he criticized the previous administration for leaving vital communication equipment unused for two years, causing their warranties to expire. He vowed to find a solution to deploy these resources for the benefit of Ghanaians.

“We’ll find a way. We will find a way of bringing those equipments out and using them for the benefit of the Ghanaian people. We’ll find a way,” he reiterated.