Ghana and Burkina Faso Hold Bilateral Meeting to Address Cross-Border Signal Interference

August 19, 2025 – The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana and Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) of Burkina Faso have commenced bilateral meetings held virtually on 19th August 2025 to address concerns of cross-border signal interference. The meetings bring together representatives from both countries, including regulators and mobile network operators, to deliberate on strategies and finalise a frequency coordination agreement that will help mitigate interference challenges along their common borders.

Welcoming participants, the Acting Director General of the NCA, Rev. Ing. Edmund Fianko, noted that Ghana, mindful of the negative effects of signal interference, had already signed a frequency agreement with Togo and looked forward to concluding a similar arrangement with Burkina Faso. He explained that this initiative was coming in response to complaints received from consumers along the Ghana–Burkina Faso border regarding interference issues. He therefore urged all stakeholders to respect the agreed thresholds, emphasising that provisions would be made for minimum signal strength across the border, and that operators on both sides must comply with the new thresholds once agreed.

Rev. Fianko further hinted at the Authority’s interest in advancing discussions on ECOWAS roaming, noting that Ghana had already achieved successful implementations with Togo and Benin.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Sibiri Ouattara, Technical advisor to the Executive Secretary of the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), noted that the meeting was a step in the right direction, as both regulators and operators worked together to build a robust framework for a better coordinated and more effectively managed spectrum.

He was positive that the meetings would provide an opportunity to examine the results of the measurements taken during the last joint spectrum monitoring exercise conducted along the borders of the two countries between October and December 2024. “I am convinced that the conclusions and recommendations resulting from our discussions will represent a major step, guaranteeing optimal and harmonious use of frequencies without harmful interference, for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.

The meeting is expected to conclude on 20th August, 2025.