Ericsson and Ghana NCA Discuss 5G, Cybersecurity and Network Resilience
The meeting covered several areas, including 5G deployment, Quality of Service (QoS), cybersecurity, network resilience, sustainable energy solutions and enterprise connectivity for critical sectors such as oil and gas, mining and ports.
A seven-member delegation from Ericsson has paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) at the NCA Tower in Accra, with discussions focusing on 5G deployment, quality of service, cybersecurity and the resilience of Ghana’s communications infrastructure.
The delegation was led by Patrick Johansson, President and Head of Market Area, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson. He was received by Suleman Salifu, Deputy Director General for Technical Operations at the NCA, alongside Etta Mosore, Deputy Director General for Managerial Operations, on behalf of the NCA Director General, Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko.
Welcoming the Ericsson team, Salifu highlighted the NCA’s mandate to regulate Ghana’s communications sector while promoting fairness, competition, innovation, service quality and consumer protection. He said the Authority remains focused on ensuring communications services are delivered securely, reliably and efficiently as Ghana advances its digital agenda.
He said the NCA’s role extends beyond creating an enabling regulatory environment for investment and innovation, stressing the need to ensure consumers and businesses benefit from services provided by licensed operators. He added that the Authority would continue engaging industry players and technology partners to support a resilient and forward-looking communications ecosystem.
The meeting covered several areas, including 5G deployment, Quality of Service (QoS), cybersecurity, network resilience, sustainable energy solutions and enterprise connectivity for critical sectors such as oil and gas, mining and ports.
On 5G, Salifu said the rollout of services in Ghana would be guided by regulatory oversight, clear performance expectations and measurable service outcomes. He said the NCA’s focus is on ensuring that 5G generates tangible benefits for consumers, businesses and the wider economy.
He further noted that the licence conditions for 5G require 70% population coverage by March 2027, with the NCA expected to strengthen compliance monitoring to ensure operators meet their coverage and service quality obligations.
Salifu also emphasised the importance of coverage, quality, network resilience, cybersecurity and consumer experience as new technologies are introduced. He highlighted national emergency communications as another priority, stressing the need for communications infrastructure to remain robust, responsive and secure.
Etta Mosore, Deputy Director General for Managerial Operations, also addressed the delegation, highlighting the importance of partnerships that promote knowledge sharing, capacity building and innovation. She said collaboration with industry stakeholders should contribute to Ghana’s wider digital transformation agenda and strengthen the country’s readiness for emerging technologies.
Speaking on behalf of Ericsson, Johansson said the visit was particularly significant as the company marks 30 years of operations in Ghana, coinciding with the NCA’s 30th anniversary. He said Ericsson was engaging partners as part of efforts to support Ghana’s digital development and strengthen the country’s digital foundation.
Majda Lahlou Kassi, Customer Unit Head for West and Southern Africa at Ericsson, described Ghana’s 5G licensing direction as a positive development and reaffirmed Ericsson’s willingness to support the country through knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Her areas of focus included cybersecurity, resilient networks, artificial intelligence and digital skills development.
Both organisations expressed their willingness to deepen collaboration and share expertise in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities within Ghana’s communications ecosystem. As part of the visit, Ericsson presented the NCA with a commemorative token marking the two organisations’ 30th anniversaries in Ghana.
The Ericsson delegation included Patrick Johansson, Amos Hadebe, Rostand Njomgang, Richard Kweku Arthur, Majda Lahlou Kassi, Fortunato La Riccia and Ante Mihovilovic, representing Ericsson’s leadership across government policy, regional operations, cloud software and services, and network functions.
