The government believes Ghana’s proposed “Dig Once” policy could cut the cost of laying fibre optic infrastructure by up to 60 percent.
Officials say this move will speed up broadband expansion and make internet services more affordable across the country.
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, shared this update during the 15th anniversary soft launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications.
He explained that the policy will reduce the cost of telecom infrastructure while strengthening Ghana’s wider digital development agenda.
The government has linked the plan to its Big Push road construction programme.
Under the proposal, road contractors will build fibre chambers into new roads during construction. This design will allow telecom companies to install fibre cables without digging up completed roads.
Mr. George said telecom operators will only need to access the right-of-way and place fibre through the pre-built chambers.
This approach will remove repeated excavation work and reduce the high cost of expanding networks.
“The Dig Once policy could, by some estimates, reduce the cost of rolling out fibre in Ghana by almost 60 percent,” he stated.
He added that both road builders and telecom firms currently dig separately, which drives up costs unnecessarily. He argued that combining these works will make infrastructure development faster and cheaper.
The Minister also revealed that the Ministry has finished drafting the policy framework. He said officials incorporated input from the Ministry of Roads and Highways because the policy affects both sectors.
He noted that the final draft arrived this week and will go to Cabinet for approval. The government expects to secure approval for implementation by the third quarter of the year.
Mr. George described the policy as a potential game-changer for Ghana’s digital economy. He said lower fibre rollout costs will help expand internet coverage, improve connectivity, and eventually reduce data prices for users across the country.
