MTN Ghana marks 30 years of service - Pledges connectivity investments, national growth initiatives
MTN Ghana has launched its 30th anniversary celebration, with a pledge to deepen investment in connectivity, digital infrastructure and national development initiatives aimed at supporting the country’s growing digital economy.
Speaking at an event in Accra to usher in a tall list of activities to mark three decades of its existence in Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, said the company’s journey over the past three decades reflected a transformation from basic telecommunications service provision into a key enabler of national progress.
He emphasised that MTN Ghana’s growth story had been shaped by customers, partners and government collaboration, stressing that connectivity had become central to opportunity, dignity and economic empowerment.
“And that’s a credit to the people that built that business. Today, millions of Ghanaians are on mobile money every day. It supports households, business agents, entire value chains.
It’s deeply woven into the fabric of Ghana’s economy and into our daily lives,” Mr Blewett said.
The event brought together industry partners and stakeholders to support the company.
MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary campaign
The six-month long anniversary will offer recognition rewards, including three Toyota LandCruiser Prado Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), lifestyle experiences, data freebies, smart gadgets, movie premieres and consumer prizes under what it calls MTN Rewards, enabling customers to win exciting benefits through participation from June to December.
Reflecting on the evolution of mobile technology in Ghana, Mr Blewett referenced early mobile devices such as the Nokia 3310 and Motorola Razr, saying the industry had moved from SMS-based communication to advanced digital platforms.
He highlighted mobile money as one of the most significant innovations in Ghana’s digital transformation, describing it as a gateway to financial inclusion and economic participation for millions of people.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated the importance of telecommunications infrastructure, enabling education, healthcare coordination and business continuity during periods of disruption.
Vision
Looking ahead, Mr Blewett said MTN Ghana would continue to invest in expanding its network and modernising digital infrastructure, including a planned $1.1 billion investment programme and the rollout of new network sites across the country.
He added that the company’s future strategy would focus on connectivity, financial technology (Fintech) and digital services, supported by sustainability and responsible innovation.
According to him, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) would reshape communication and productivity, particularly for young people.
MTN Ghana also reaffirmed its commitment to education, health and skills development through its corporate social investments, saying those initiatives remained central to its long-term mission of supporting inclusive national growth.
Government support
The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, stated that the government would continue to create a supportive policy and regulatory environment to drive innovation and investment in the telecom sector.
He said ongoing reviews of spectrum policy, universal service obligations, cybersecurity and data protection frameworks were aimed at strengthening the digital ecosystem.
Mr George added that the country was positioning itself for the next decade of digital transformation, including 5G deployment, AI, cloud computing and Internet-of-Things (IoT) infrastructure.
The communication minister also gave the assurance that the government would work to enable investment, while expecting operators to expand coverage beyond profit-driven areas into underserved communities.
He emphasised that collaboration between the government, regulators and industry would be key to achieving nationwide digital inclusion and competitiveness.
Responsibility
Mr George, however, stated that MTN Ghana, as a dominant player in the country’s telecom market, carried significant responsibility that must match its leadership position.
He said MTN’s status as a “market leader” was not a criticism but a regulatory reality that came with obligations to ensure quality of service, fair competition, transparency and improved customer experience.
The communication minister stressed that consumers continued to face concerns over data costs, dropped calls, network coverage gaps and complaint resolution, which must be addressed.
He charged MTN to ensure that its planned $1.1 billion investment translated into tangible improvements in service delivery, affordability and equitable access, especially for rural and low-income users.
