Minister Sam George Assures Public on Telecom Mast Safety and Announces 6,000 New Cell Sites

Ghana's Minister of Communication, Samuel Nartey George, has moved to allay public fears regarding the health impacts of telecommunications infrastructure, asserting that cell towers and masts pose no risk to citizens. Speaking in response to specific concerns raised about a new installation in Koforidua, the Minister emphasized that the government prioritizes public health above all else. He clarified that all telecommunications equipment in the country must pass rigorous certification and monitoring processes to ensure they operate within safe radiation limits, providing a necessary backbone for the nation's digital economy. To maintain these high safety standards, the Minister highlighted the collaborative regulatory framework involving the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). Mr. George noted that scientific evidence consistently demonstrates that the non-ionizing radiation emitted by these masts is far below levels that could cause harm to human health. By enforcing strict adherence to these guidelines, the government ensures that the expansion of connectivity does not come at the expense of community well-being. Looking toward the future of Ghana's digital landscape, Minister George announced a significant network expansion project that will see the addition of 6,000 new cell sites across the country. This initiative is designed to drastically improve service quality, eliminate dead zones, and increase overall network capacity. Parallel to this physical infrastructure growth, the Minister also promoted the One Million Coders Programme, an initiative aimed at enhancing digital literacy and technical skills. He reported strong participation from the academic community, noting that the programme is already empowering students and universities to lead Ghana's technological evolution.