Dear Editor,
Ghana’s move into the next stage of 5G spectrum licensing is an important development for the country’s digital future. With MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and Goal Telecommunications cleared to proceed, expectations will naturally rise among businesses, students, technology professionals and ordinary internet users.

But as Ghana prepares for a more advanced digital era, we must ask a simple question: who will actually benefit from 5G?
Technology should not become meaningful only to people who can afford expensive smartphones, data packages and compatible devices. If 5G is introduced without addressing affordability and accessibility, Ghana risks creating a faster digital highway that many citizens cannot afford to enter.

For students, reliable and affordable internet can mean access to online courses, research materials, remote opportunities and international learning platforms. For small businesses, better connectivity can support digital payments, online marketing, e-commerce and communication with customers. For professionals, it can create opportunities for remote work and participation in the global digital economy.

The government and telecommunications companies must therefore ensure that the 5G rollout goes beyond speed. There should be serious attention to affordability, coverage and digital inclusion. Rural communities should not be forgotten while investment concentrates only on Accra, Kumasi and other major commercial centres.

Telecommunications companies should also communicate clearly with consumers about the actual benefits of 5G, the cost of accessing it and the devices required. Consumers deserve value, not simply another technological label attached to their data plans.

Ghana has an opportunity to use 5G as a tool for economic transformation but that transformation will only be meaningful if the technology reaches beyond corporate offices and wealthy consumers.

The measure of Ghana’s digital progress should not simply be how fast our networks can operate. It should also be how many Ghanaians can afford to participate in the digital economy.

From Desmond Frimpong

Esuofia

Dear Editor,

I wish to draw attention to the challenges many parents and students face during the Senior High School (SHS) placement process in Ghana.

The Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) was introduced to make the placement process fair, transparent and efficient. However, every year, concerns continue to emerge over school placement, particularly regarding students being placed in schools far from their homes, difficulty in changing placements and challenges associated with the self-placement process.

For some parents, securing a suitable school for their children becomes stressful and expensive. Students who are not placed in their preferred schools may also become discouraged, especially when they believe they have obtained the required grades to qualify for their choices.

Another concern is the pressure on parents to secure accommodation and other necessities within a short period after placement. Parents who cannot afford additional expenses may struggle to meet these demands.

I believe the authorities should continue to improve the placement system by making the process more transparent and user-friendly.

There should also be effective channels through which parents and students can promptly resolve genuine placement concerns without unnecessary delays.

The authorities should consider reviewing the school selection and placement arrangements to ensure that students are placed as close as reasonably possible to their preferred schools, based on merit, available spaces and other relevant considerations.

Education is a fundamental investment in the future of the country. Therefore, the placement process should not become a source of unnecessary stress for students and their parents.

I hope the relevant authorities will take these concerns seriously and work towards a more efficient, transparent and student-friendly placement system.

From Eugene Ampiaw,

Swedru