The Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has stated that as part of their role in rolling out a shared 4G and 5G intrastructure in Ghana, Nokia, Tech Mahindra and Radisys will also set up innovation centers that will boost digital skills and create jobs for Ghanaian youth.
She was speaking at a press conference in Accra to announce the launch of the government’s initiative to establish a shared digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the role out of 4G and 5G networks across the country.
The government has licensed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called NextGen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) as the sole Whole Service Provider to rollout as open access 4G and 5G network across the country, for all service providers to key in for retail purposes.
The SPV comprises of three foreign tech giants – Nokia, Tech Mahindra and Radisys; two local entities – KNET and Ascend Digital, and two telcos – Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana.
According to the Minister, Nokia, one of the largest tech companies in the world, has promised to establish its first technology innovation lab in Accra, create 5G use cases for the continent, and offer career opportunities for engineering graduates in the technology sector, adding that Nokia will also provide a radio access network.
“Tech Mahindra, she continued, will build a cloud-native core network to support the development of the network infrastructure and related services. This network will be driven by leading Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) platforms,” she said.
Ursula Owusu Ekuful believes that the use of the cutting-edge technology from Tech Mahindra will guarantee that Ghana’s networks are reliable, expandable, and able to accommodate new developments in the future.
She said the company will also set up its first global software delivery in Ghana, allowing the youth to lead in automation, robotics, AI, and machine learning and acquire cutting-edge skills.
She emphasised that Open Radio Access Networks (OpenRAN), offered by dual platform provider Radisys, enabling disaggregated networks for 4G and 5G mobile and stationary wireless access.
The Minister also said Radisys also offers digital platforms and apps that support inclusive and sustainable development, in addition to reasonably priced 4G and 5G equipment.
According to her, the partnership in Ghana is Radisys’ first venture into Africa, and will be the first of many geared at building digital skills and creating jobs in Ghana and across the continent.
She believes that the nation’s unemployment rate will go down as a result of the government’s collaboration with those three each business, adding that the entrance of those tech giants into the country consolidates Ghana’s position as Africa’s digital black star.
