Ghanaian engineer and university lecturer Dr. Kwaku Boadu has accused all telecommunication companies operating in Ghana of corruption. He attributes the problem to the country’s legal and regulatory framework, which he says enables political interference in the sector.
He made this argument in an interview on Channel One TV on October 13, 2025. Dr. Boadu argued that the current National Communications Act (Act 769) grants excessive authority to the Executive branch. He said this undermines the independence of the National Communications Authority (NCA) and compromising transparency within the telecom industry.
According to Dr. Boadu, the structure of Ghana’s communications law effectively politicizes the operations of the telecommunications sector.
“I can take you to Act 769, the National Communications Act, and show you why I am bold enough to say on television that every telecommunication company in this country is a corrupt company,” he said. “I have no proof; I have no evidence, but circumstantial evidence tells me that.”
He claimed that the appointment process for key officials of the NCA, including the Director General, board members, and staff, is entirely controlled by the President, creating conditions for undue political influence.
Telecoms ‘Beholden to Politicians’
Dr. Boadu further asserted that the Act’s provisions have made it almost impossible for telecom firms to operate independently of government or political pressure.
“By our law, any telecommunication company that has to operate in Ghana has to be nice to the politicians,” he remarked. “It is very easy for an investor outside Ghana to take Act 769 and decide whether or not to invest here. If they choose to come, they must be prepared to have ‘nice relationships’ with politicians, and you know what that means.”
He suggested that the relationship between the regulator and telecom operators often becomes one of mutual dependence, rather than professional oversight, blurring the lines between governance and business ethics.
Calls for Reform in Ghana’s Communications Law
The engineer urged Parliament to review Act 769 to limit executive control and strengthen institutional independence within the telecom regulatory system.
He emphasized that true digital development requires policy frameworks that protect the public interest rather than political convenience.
“We cannot continue to grow our telecom industry on weak governance foundations,” he said. “Strong policy, backed by independent institutions, is what drives innovation and trust.”
Dr. Boadu also referenced Act 843, which governs data protection and privacy, expressing concern about Ghana’s ability to meet international standards in safeguarding user information.
He compared the situation to challenges faced globally, noting that even advanced economies struggle to balance commercial interests with citizens’ privacy rights.
“You will notice that America is unable to meet the data privacy standards of Europe. So, Europe had to pass a specific law to admit Americans,” he explained, drawing parallels to Ghana’s own gaps in data policy.
Dr. Boadu said his views stem from extensive experience in both computer science and engineering, which have given him a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between technology, policy, and governance.
“My first profession was in computer science; I was a programmer for quite some years,” he said. “Then, based on a need, I moved into engineering. After some years of practice, I realised that beyond promoting engineering, developing sound engineering policy is equally important.”
He argued that Ghana’s digital transformation will remain limited unless legal frameworks encourage fair competition, data transparency, and independent regulation free from partisan influence.
Industry Response
As of press time, no telecommunications company or representative from the NCA had officially responded to Dr. Boadu’s claims. However, industry analysts note that Ghana’s telecom sector, dominated by major players such as MTN, Telecel, and AT Ghana, has often been criticized for pricing inconsistencies, network quality issues, and regulatory opacity.
Dr. Boadu’s comments have sparked renewed debate about governance in Ghana’s communications landscape, with calls growing louder for reforms that prioritize accountability, data protection, and consumer rights.
As the country continues to expand its digital economy, experts say that balancing government oversight with industry autonomy will be crucial for long term growth and investor confidence.
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