ATC Ghana: Powering connectivity and driving Ghana’s digitalization agenda

In the heart of Ghana’s vibrant telecommunications industry thrives a company that plays a significant yet often unnoticed role in driving the nation’s digitalization agenda. The company in focus is ATC Ghana, the Ghanaian arm of the global giant American Tower Corporation (ATC).

Recently, ATC Ghana held its inaugural media engagement session, facilitated by Stratcomm Africa, to shed light on its operations and contributions to Ghana’s development. The event was graced by the presence of ATC Ghana’s CEO, Yahaya Yunusa, Head of Legal, Enid Kanor, and Public Affairs Manager, Akua Twumasi, who highlighted the pivotal role the company plays in Ghana’s digitalization.

ATC Ghana is the leading independent operator of shared wireless infrastructure in the country, wielding an impressive portfolio of over 4,000 sites. This makes it the market leader, owning almost 60 per cent of the market share. Its services are not limited to Mobile Network Operators but also extend to Internet Service Providers, Broadcasters, and government agencies.

Powering Connectivity across Ghana

As part of its commitment to enhancing connectivity across Ghana, ATC Ghana provides an array of services, including the provision of towers, in-building systems, and power solutions. Furthermore, ATC Ghana offers collocation services, allowing multiple tenants to share space on its towers. This not only reduces the cost for the individual network operators but also minimizes the environmental impact by reducing the need for multiple towers. These offerings are not only critical to the speed and reliability of network deployment but also instrumental in the transition to a digitized economy.

Impact on the End-User Experience

While ATC Ghana operates primarily as a Business to Business (B2B) company, its influence on the end user’s experience cannot be overemphasized. Its infrastructure serves as the backbone for network providers, ensuring seamless, uninterrupted service delivery. The collocation services further boost network coverage and reliability, improving the user experience. This, in turn, contributes to the successful execution of paperless transactions, the efficiency of Mobile Money services, and the general improvement of revenue generation at various points in the economy.

Job Creation and Revenue Generation

ATC Ghana’s impact extends beyond the provision of wireless infrastructure. It has also positioned itself as a significant player in the job market, creating 178 direct and 12,716 indirect jobs since its inception. Moreover, as an affirmation of its commitment to local capacity development, 99% of ATC Ghana’s staff are Ghanaians.

The company’s impact on the economy is further reflected in its tax contributions. As one of the large tax-paying companies in Ghana, ATC Ghana is a significant source of government revenue.

Community Development and CSR Initiatives

In addition to these, ATC Ghana’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives stand as a testament to its commitment to community development. The company has launched impactful initiatives such as the Girls in ICT project, which encourages girls to pursue ICT and STEM programs. Another noteworthy initiative is the Digital Communities project, which establishes computer-equipped learning centres that offer free ICT education and training in local communities.

Facing Challenges and Forging Ahead

Despite facing challenges such as theft of equipment and regulatory issues, ATC Ghana continues to forge ahead with its developmental agenda. The company has invested about $1.5 billion since it started operations and is poised to invest more in the coming years, particularly as Ghana prepares to deploy 5G technology.

Preparing for the Future: 5G and Beyond

As the world edges closer to a more connected future with the advent of 5G technology, ATC Ghana is not left behind. The company is gearing up for this technological revolution, with CEO Yahaya Yunusa expressing the need for more capital injection to cater for the infrastructure necessary to support 5G deployment in the country. ATC Ghana’s readiness to embrace 5G technology reflects its commitment to staying ahead of the curve, ensuring that Ghana is not left out of the global digital transformation.

Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship

ATC Ghana’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its initiatives to combat climate change. In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, the company is deploying solar equipment to provide backup power at sites. This not only ensures uninterrupted service delivery but also contributes to environmental conservation.

In Conclusion, ATC Ghana, under the global umbrella of American Tower Corporation, is a force to reckon with in the telecommunications sector in Ghana. Its role in maintaining and improving the digital infrastructure of the country is invaluable, and its contributions extend beyond this sphere. By providing jobs, paying taxes, and investing in community development, ATC Ghana is demonstrating how corporations can effectively contribute to national development. As the country braces for the 5G revolution, ATC Ghana’s readiness to invest and adapt is a promising sign of continued growth and progress in Ghana’s telecommunications industry.