Ghana will have a 5G wireless data communication for mobile phone users by 2024, the Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr Joe Anokye, has announced.

5G, according to Qualcomm, is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices.

5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Higher performance and improved efficiency empower new user experiences and connects new industries.

For it to work, however, Mr Anokye said there must be some policy changes.

"We have made sure that the spectrum required for five 5G is available. There are few policies that must be made as to exactly how spectrum will be made available", Mr Anokye noted at the 12th R.P Baffour memorial lectures organised by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

"It is very complicated, because of the way the market is, we don't want to proceed and only one entity will have the capability of acquiring the 5G," he explained when he spoke on the theme 'KNUST, a history of remarkable growth in science and technology education, resilience and adaptability in the digital space'.

For example, he said: "We have to make sure Wi-Fi services at various places where people meet are provided. There is a fibre optic connection to central point to make your 5G come".

"Every now and then, a submarine cable will go down and when it does, it takes time. You have to send a ship in. We have to make sure Wi-Fi services at various places where people meet are provided, there is a fibre optic connection to central point to make your 5G come," he said.