5G Sites Cut: A Joke?

Okay, here’s an article about Bright Simons’ criticisms of Ghanaian economic policy, formatted as requested.

Ghana’s 5G Fiasco: Bright Simons Smells a Rat (and a Potential Monopoly)

Alright, buckle up, data heads, because we’re diving deep into a potential tech train wreck brewing in Ghana. The alleged culprit? A 5G infrastructure project that’s gone from ambitious rollout to, well, a shadow of its former self. The guy raising the alarm? Bright Simons, the VP of IMANI Africa. This dude’s got more takes than a Silicon Valley VC, and right now, he’s not liking what he sees. Let’s break down the situation, shall we?

Simons has built a reputation as Ghana’s public policy debugger. He’s the guy you call when you need to find the loophole in the logic of government initiatives. Like a compiler flagging errors in a poorly written program, Simons relentlessly scrutinizes projects for transparency, accountability, and efficient resource allocation. This time, his crosshairs are aimed squarely at Ghana’s 5G infrastructure project, and the target is flashing a big, fat “ERROR” sign.

From Lofty Goals to Laughable Numbers: The 5G Saga

The initial vision for Ghana’s 5G rollout was expansive: 4,400 sites across the country. The idea was to blanket Ghana with next-gen connectivity, fueling innovation and economic growth. Fast forward to today, and that target has been slashed to a paltry 50 sites. That is correct, a steep 98% reduction in the number of proposed sites.

Simons, never one to mince words, calls this revision a “joke.” He’s not just throwing shade; he’s suggesting the whole thing might be a “big scam.” Bold words, right? But he’s backing them up with scrutiny, digging into the specifics of the project, particularly the role of Next Gen Infraco (NGIC).

Why the drastic change in scope? What happened to the grand vision of nationwide 5G? These are the questions Simons is asking, and the answers, so far, seem suspiciously murky. He’s been vocal about the new Acting NCA Boss prioritizing this project, which he describes as “shady and dubious”. If you know Bright Simons, you know he doesn’t pull punches.

Decoding the Contract: Work and Pay… Or Work and Pray?

Simons’ concerns extend beyond just the site numbers. He’s also raising red flags about the contract terms, specifically the “work and pay” spectrum allocation system. The model implies the success of the program will be based on the work done and the payments accrued; but Simons is asking if the entire program is going to lead to a monopolistic operation by NGIC. He argues that the arrangement lacks transparency and that the benefits to the Ghanaian people are uncertain. He highlights that such a situation will allow NGIC to become a quasi-monopoly, a scenario he thinks is likely to hinder Ghana’s economic goals.

It’s like a software license agreement you haven’t bothered to read. You click “agree,” but you’re unwittingly signing away your data and agreeing to receive endless spam. Simons is trying to get Ghanaians to actually read the fine print of this deal before they’re stuck with the consequences.

More Than 5G: A Pattern of Questionable Spending?

The 5G project is just one piece of a larger puzzle for Simons. He has consistently challenged official narratives and demanded greater clarity on financial matters. Remember the leaked memo from Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau? Simons dismissed parts of it as “irrelevant distortions” and demanded full disclosure of fund authorizations.

Then there’s the GH¢1 million spent on spyware, which Simons deemed “unreasonable.” That’s a serious allegation that is definitely worthy of further investigation. It’s like finding a Trojan horse hiding in your system – Simons is trying to expose these potential threats before they can wreak havoc on Ghana’s economy.

He even raised concerns about the Electoral Commission supposedly discarding valuable election equipment (worth over $150 million) to justify procuring new devices. If that’s true, it’s a colossal waste of resources. It’s like buying a brand new server farm because you don’t like the color of your existing one. Such a waste of resources will have a negative toll on the progress of Ghana’s economy.

Legal Battles and the Price of Speaking Out

Simons’ outspokenness has consequences. He’s currently facing a GH¢10 million defamation lawsuit filed by Ibrahim Mahama and his company, Engineers & Planners (E&P). The suit stems from articles authored by Simons that Mahama alleges contain “false and malicious” statements damaging to his reputation.

Simons isn’t backing down. He’s vowed to “vigorously defend” his statements in court and is even compelling Mahama to admit key facts. This legal battle highlights the risks involved in challenging powerful figures and institutions. It’s like debugging code while being attacked by DDoS – tough, but necessary.

Despite the legal pressure, Simons continues to sound the alarm. He has provided detailed analysis of Ghana’s involvement in Indian opioid trafficking and warned that Ghana’s IMF targets are at risk. He even supports President Mahama’s Governance Council plan, while simultaneously cautioning against complacency.

System Failure, Man

Bright Simons is Ghana’s self-appointed economic watchdog, barking at anything that smells fishy. Whether he’s right or wrong, he’s forcing a conversation about transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public resources. The 5G project, with its vanishing sites and opaque contracts, is just the latest example of the issues he’s raising.

His impact on Ghana’s national conversation is undeniable. It’s up to the government to heed his concerns and prove that this 5G rollout isn’t a joke, a scam, or a path to a monopolistic digital future. Failure to do so would be a system failure of epic proportions.