The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana and Togo’s telecommunications regulator, ARCEP, have begun a three-day Border Coordination Meeting in Accra aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation and addressing frequency interference along their shared border.
The meeting, held from September 9–11, 2025 at the NCA Tower, brings together regulators and mobile network operators from both countries, including MTN Ghana, AT Ghana, Telecel Ghana, Moov, Telecel Togo, and YAS Togo, to review and update existing bilateral coordination agreements.
Addressing Signal Spillage and Frequency Conflicts
NCA Deputy Director General for Technical Operations, Suleman Salifu, noted that signal spillage and uncoordinated frequency use continue to create harmful interference in border areas, negatively impacting service quality.
“Effective coordination is crucial in preventing harmful interference in border areas and safeguarding the quality of service for operators and consumers,” Salifu said, highlighting the long-standing collaboration between Ghana and Togo on spectrum management.
Regional Standards and International Alignment
The initiative is aligned with recommendations from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and regional frameworks from ECOWAS and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). Officials say the harmonization process could serve as a model for other West African nations grappling with similar cross-border spectrum challenges.
Awutey Dodji Sylvanus, ARCEP Togo’s Head of Delegation, expressed confidence that the meeting would lay the groundwork for necessary amendments to existing agreements.
Multi-Stakeholder Technical Approach
By including major operators from both countries, the regulators are ensuring that discussions reflect the realities on the ground. Operators like MTN, which has operations in both Ghana and Togo, and national carriers such as Telecel Ghana and Telecel Togo, are expected to provide data on interference patterns and service disruptions.
Delegates will review field monitoring reports and propose technical revisions, emphasizing a data-driven and transparent approach to updating spectrum coordination frameworks.
Broader Regional Implications
The Ghana–Togo coordination effort comes at a critical time as African countries expand network coverage and prepare for the rollout of advanced technologies such as 5G, which require precise spectrum management.
Effective bilateral agreements between Ghana and Togo could provide a blueprint for other West African cross-border collaborations, ensuring stable telecom services and minimizing interference across borders.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Managing cross-border frequency interference involves complex coordination measures, including agreed frequency plans, transmitter power limits, and clearly defined coordination zones. The three-day meeting allows regulators and operators to delve into the technical details and build consensus.
Organizers emphasize that the focus will remain on fair, transparent, and technically robust coordination, ensuring that regulatory decisions prioritize consumer experience and long-term service stability over purely commercial interests.
