Government says the proposed Dig Once policy could reduce the cost of fibre infrastructure rollout in Ghana by as much as 60 percent, in a move aimed at accelerating broadband expansion and improving access to affordable data services.
Speaking at the 15th anniversary soft launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, said the policy is expected to significantly lower deployment costs for telecom operators while strengthening Ghana’s digital infrastructure drive.
According to the Minister, the policy seeks to integrate fibre infrastructure into ongoing government road construction projects under the Big Push programme.
Under the proposed arrangement, road contractors working on new roads will be required to include fibre chambers within road designs, allowing telecom companies to deploy fibre cables without undertaking separate excavation works.
Mr. George explained that telecom operators would only need to secure right-of-way access and lay fibre through already constructed chambers, eliminating duplication in civil works and reducing capital expenditure associated with network expansion.
“The Dig Once policy could, by some estimates, reduce the cost of rolling out fibre in Ghana by almost 60 percent,” he stated.
He noted that both road contractors and telecom operators currently undertake separate excavation works, increasing infrastructure costs unnecessarily. Integrating fibre chambers into road construction, he said, would create a more efficient and cost-effective approach to infrastructure development.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry has completed the draft policy framework after incorporating recommendations from the Ministry of Roads and Highways due to the cross-sector impact of the initiative.
According to him, the final draft was received this week and is expected to be submitted to Cabinet for approval, with government targeting implementation approval by the third quarter of this year.
Mr. George described the initiative as potentially transformative for Ghana’s digital economy, arguing that lower fibre deployment costs should support wider network expansion, improve internet connectivity and ultimately reduce data costs for consumers.
He added that government expects the policy to create long-term efficiencies within the telecommunications sector while supporting Ghana’s broader digitalisation agenda and economic competitiveness.
