The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben South, Hon. Ransford Owusu Boakye, has appealed to drivers, traders, and other stakeholders at the Koforidua-Kumasi Lorry Station to remain calm over plans to construct a telecommunications mast at the transport terminal.
According to the MCE, the location was not chosen arbitrarily but followed technical assessments conducted by engineers and technical experts from African Towers Company.
He explained that the assessment of several locations within the central part of the municipality identified the Koforidua-Kumasi Lorry Station, popularly known as the Kumasi Lorry Station, as the only location with the signal strength required to support the project.
The proposed mast is expected to enhance mobile network coverage, internet connectivity, and the quality of telecommunications services within Koforidua and surrounding communities.
However, the project has generated opposition from some drivers and traders at the lorry station, who have raised concerns about the suitability of installing such infrastructure at a busy transport and commercial center.
Addressing the concerns at a media briefing at his office, Mr. Owusu Boakye said the decision to site the mast at the station was based primarily on technical requirements.
He said engineers from African Towers conducted assessments at various locations before settling on the lorry station.
“The engineers went round the central part of the municipality and realized that the Kumasi station is the only location where they can receive the strong signal required for the project,” he explained.
Technical Considerations
The MCE said the municipality had a responsibility to support infrastructure that would improve telecommunications services, particularly at a time when residents and businesses were increasingly dependent on mobile communication and digital platforms.
He explained that the technical requirements of telecommunications infrastructure meant that not every location could effectively serve the intended purpose.
The selection of the lorry station, he said, was therefore based on the availability and strength of the required signal rather than convenience.
Concerns Over Location
The proposed development has nevertheless become a subject of concern among some users of the lorry station.
Drivers and traders have expressed reservations about the construction of the mast within the busy transport terminal, citing concerns about its possible impact on their activities and the use of space at the station.
The MCE, however, urged the affected stakeholders to engage the Municipal Assembly and the project developers to have their concerns addressed.
He said the Assembly remained open to dialogue and would work with stakeholders to ensure that the project was implemented in a manner that took legitimate concerns into consideration.
Regulatory Approvals
Mr. Owusu Boakye also disclosed that the project had gone through the relevant regulatory processes and received the necessary approvals.
He said the project had received approval from the Ministry of Communication and had also undergone assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to him, the EPA’s assessment did not identify environmental or health risks that would prevent the project from proceeding.
He consequently appealed to drivers, traders, and other stakeholders to cooperate with the authorities and the project developers while using the available engagement channels to raise any outstanding concerns.
The project is being undertaken by African Towers, a private telecommunications infrastructure company that provides shared infrastructure for mobile network operators.
Under the neutral-host model, telecommunications companies can utilize shared infrastructure instead of each operator constructing separate masts and associated facilities.
African Towers has reportedly developed more than 250 telecommunications infrastructure sites in parts of Ghana.
The Koforidua project is expected to provide infrastructure that can be utilized by mobile network operators to improve coverage and service quality.
Growing Demand for Connectivity
The MCE said the need for improved telecommunications infrastructure had become increasingly important to Koforidua because businesses, financial institutions, schools, and residents now rely heavily on mobile networks and internet services.
He noted that reliable connectivity was essential for mobile money transactions, online businesses, digital education, communication, and other economic activities.
According to him, improved network infrastructure at the station would benefit not only transport operators and traders but also residents and businesses within the wider municipality.
Mr. Owusu Boakye therefore urged stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and cooperation rather than confrontation.
He maintained that the objective of the project was to address telecommunications challenges and strengthen digital connectivity in New Juaben South.
He assured stakeholders that the Assembly would continue engaging them and the project developers to ensure that legitimate concerns were addressed while the municipality derived the intended benefits from the improved telecommunications infrastructure.
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