Joe Anokye, Director General of the National Communications Authority, emphasized the critical importance of infrastructure investment for the sustainability and growth of the telecommunications sector.
His remarks address concerns from consumers about MTN’s dominance in Ghana’s telecom market. Calls for the dissolution of the NCA board have emerged due to high data costs and unreliable service, issues some attribute to MTN’s classification as a Significant Market Power (SMP).
In an interview with Umaru Sanda on July 25, Mr. Anokye noted that the differences among market players largely result from their levels of investment.
He explained that companies investing in their infrastructure and services generally prosper, while those that do not are more likely to struggle.
“The common denominator in all these market dynamics is investment. Entities that invest in their infrastructure and service quality fare better. When entities fail to invest, they shrink.
I think I mentioned it the last time I was here that during the submarine shutdown when everyone was down, AT was the one that was up.
“Within a week, they signed up about 100,000 subscribers. So it’s all about the availability of infrastructure and the quality of services you offer.
The regulator doesn’t invest in it, it is the entities that are making money here that have to invest. But over the period of time that has not happened and so they begin to shrink,” he stated.
