Chinese company Huawei has been acknowledged for playing a key role in expanding mobile network connectivity to remote rural communities in Ghana in an effort to drive digitalization.

The leading global technology company launched the Rural Telephony Project in Ghana in 2020, aiming to provide voice and data services for over 3.4 million people in far-flung communities.

The project utilizes Huawei's novel RuralStar technology, which has been customized for Ghana through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Communications. This has helped the government save up to 60 percent in costs for traditional cell sites.

Three communities in the West African country's Ahafo Region became recent beneficiaries of the project when a team led by the Communications Ministry commissioned new RuralStar sites for the Apenamedi, Dantano and Anwiem communities to give them access to the mobile networks.

Network connectivity

During the project's commissioning on Monday, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ghana's communications and digitalization minister, highlighted the benefits of network connectivity and stressed the need to increase and improve infrastructure in that regard.

"The benefits of connectivity for your community go beyond students who use it to expand their knowledge. You should take advantage of services such as mobile money, and e-commerce, explore new business opportunities and boost your existing businesses," said Owusu-Ekuful, while calling on local communities to take full advantage of their new connectivity to change their lives.

The minister acknowledged Huawei's contributions to the development of information and communications technology in Ghana, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the partnership has enabled the government to deploy sites to more rural communities to bridge the connectivity gap.

"I must congratulate Huawei and the mobile network operators for working together to deliver this project. As policymakers, we will continue to provide leadership in implementing solutions and programs to facilitate rural connectivity," she said.

David Appiah, Huawei Ghana's public relations manager, reiterated Huawei's commitment to the development of ICT infrastructure in Ghana, saying the company is committed to the development of ICT in the country.

"We will continue to leverage our global expertise to complement the country's digitization efforts," Appiah said. "As an organization, we have a vision to bring connectivity to every community and our contributions to the RuralStar solution for the rural telephony project reflect this."