Ghana NCA Type Approval: 5G, Wi-Fi 6 & Spec Updates

Ghana NCA Type Approval Update: Proposed Technical Specifications, 5G Bands, and Wi-Fi 6 (6 GHz)

Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) has advanced three measures that, taken together, will reshape how telecommunications terminal equipment is certified for the Ghanaian market. They touch the core of the type-approval process: how devices are tested, which 5G bands they must support, and whether they can use the lower 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi.

One point needs to be clear from the outset, because it changes how manufacturers should act on this news: as of the latest information published by the NCA, these are consultation-stage measures a draft and a proposal not yet finalised, gazetted, or in force. The direction of travel is firm, and the smart move is to prepare now. But nothing below is enforceable until the NCA closes its consultations and issues final instruments. The verified status of each item is stated explicitly.

What the Ghana NCA Type Approval changes cover

There are three distinct developments, at two different stages:

1. Draft Minimum Technical Specifications for Terminal Communication Equipment (TCE)  released for public consultation, not yet gazetted.

2. 5G frequency bands referenced for terminal equipment  carried within the draft specifications framework and Ghana's 5G deployment.

3. A proposal to open the lower 6 GHz (5925–6425 MHz) band for Wi-Fi 6 — released for public consultation, not yet authorised.

Each is examined below with its current status.

1. Draft Minimum Technical Specifications for terminal equipment (consultation stage)

On 10 February 2026 the NCA published a public consultation on new general standards and specifications for Terminal Communication Equipment operating on Ghana's electronic communications networks (GSM, IMT-2000 and IMT-2020 technologies). The consultation opened on 9 February 2026 and closed on 31 March 2026. The NCA stated that, following the conclusion of the consultation, it will finalise the Technical Specifications and gazette them meaning the instrument was not yet final at the time of publication.

The draft introduces two changes that matter most for certification workflows:

• Local testing of a physical sample. The draft framework requires a physical sample of the device to be made available as part of the type-approval process.

• Testing at the NCA's accredited laboratory in Ghana. The submitted sample is to be tested at the NCA's own accredited laboratory to verify compliance with applicable safety requirements and efficient use of the radio-frequency spectrum before certification is granted.

  
  

If adopted as drafted, this formalises in-country, NCA-lab testing as a gating step in the approval process. Manufacturers accustomed to certification based primarily on international test reports and documentation should treat local sample testing as a live requirement to plan for. (The precise departure from current NCA practice should be confirmed against the final gazetted instrument — see the editorial note.)

2. Official 5G frequency bands for terminal equipment

The Ghanaian framework accommodates commercial 5G. Devices marketed as 5G-capable for Ghana are expected to support the mid-band and low-band spectrum Ghana has designated for 5G, consistent with its 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz (C-band) deployment. The bands referenced are:

• n28 (700 MHz) — low band

• n77 (3300–4200 MHz) — mid band (C-band)

• n78 (3300–3800 MHz) — mid band (C-band)

  
  

These band designations follow standard 3GPP definitions and align with Ghana's 5G rollout in the 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz ranges. Because the specific band list sits within the draft specifications framework, the definitive, enforceable list should be read from the final gazetted specifications once published.

3. Wi-Fi 6 in the lower 6 GHz band 5925–6425 MHz (proposal stage)

On 8 January 2026 the NCA published a proposal to authorise the use of the 5925–6425 MHz (lower 6 GHz, or "L6GHz") band for unlicensed Wireless Access Systems / Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLAN) the spectrum foundation for Wi-Fi 6 in the 6 GHz range. The proposal was issued for public consultation, with comments invited until 25 February 2026. The NCA's language is that it intends to authorise the band; a final authorisation had not been confirmed at the time of publication.

If authorised, the change affects type-approval requirements for any product operating in the 6 GHz range routers, access points, smartphones, laptops and other wireless devices.

A terminology note for product teams: the NCA's documents reference "Wi-Fi 6." Equipment that actually operates in the 6 GHz band is marketed as Wi-Fi 6E (and, in newer silicon, Wi-Fi 7). The regulatory trigger is the 6 GHz spectrum access, regardless of the marketing label. Note also that Ghana's proposal covers only the lower 6 GHz segment (5925–6425 MHz), not the full 5925–7125 MHz range; devices should not assume upper-6 GHz operation is permitted.

What this means for manufacturers

For manufacturers, importers and regulatory-affairs teams, the practical implications are as follows:

• Plan for in-country sample testing. If the draft specifications are gazetted as written, a physical sample per model tested at the NCA's accredited laboratory becomes part of the approval path. Build lead time, sample logistics and shipping into your Ghana launch schedule rather than relying on documentation and international test reports alone.

• Confirm 5G band support against the final list. Ensure 5G devices support Ghana's designated bands (700 MHz and 3.5 GHz / C-band). Verify the exact band list against the gazetted specifications before making compliance claims.

• Treat 6 GHz as conditional, not open. Do not assume Wi-Fi 6E products are cleared for Ghana until the L6GHz authorisation is finalised. When it is, expect operation to be restricted to 5925–6425 MHz, likely with indoor/low-power conditions typical of L6GHz frameworks — confirm the final technical conditions before shipping.

• Assemble the evidence file now. IEEE 802.11ax test evidence for 6 GHz products, RF/EMC and safety reports, and 3GPP 5G conformance evidence should be prepared and version-controlled so devices are submission-ready the moment the instruments take effect.

• Use a local representative. NCA type approval continues to require a Ghana-based representative or authorised local agent to file on behalf of foreign manufacturers and importers.

• Do not certify against a draft. Because these measures are consultation-stage, avoid publishing compliance claims that treat them as enacted. Monitor the NCA's public consultations page and Type Approval (Conformance) portal for the final instruments.

  
  

Certification impact summary

Area	Current position	Proposed / draft change	Status	Action trigger for manufacturers
Terminal equipment testing	Approval based largely on documentation and international test reports	Mandatory physical sample per model, tested at NCA's accredited lab in Ghana	Draft — consultation closed 31 Mar 2026; awaiting finalisation/gazette	Plan sample logistics and added lead time
5G band support	5G deployed on 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz	Draft specs reference n28 / n77 / n78 for 5G-capable devices	Within draft framework — confirm against final specs	Verify device band support vs. gazetted list
Wi-Fi / 6 GHz	6 GHz not designated for unlicensed WAS/RLAN	Proposed authorisation of L6GHz (5925–6425 MHz) for Wi-Fi 6	Proposal — comments closed 25 Feb 2026; not yet authorised	Prepare 802.11ax evidence; do not assume clearance
Local representation	Ghana-based representative required to file	Unchanged	In force	Appoint/confirm local agent

Timeline and required actions

Date	Event	Verified status	Required action
8 Jan 2026	NCA publishes proposal to authorise L6GHz (5925–6425 MHz) for Wi-Fi 6	Confirmed (NCA notice)	Review draft technical conditions for 6 GHz products
25 Feb 2026	Comment deadline for the L6GHz / Wi-Fi 6 consultation	Confirmed (secondary source)	Submissions closed; monitor for final authorisation
9 Feb 2026	Public consultation on TCE Minimum Technical Specifications opens	Confirmed (NCA notice)	Assess draft specs against your product portfolio
31 Mar 2026	TCE technical specifications consultation closes	Confirmed (NCA notice)	Prepare for finalisation; ready sample-testing plan
Pending	NCA finalises and gazettes the Technical Specifications	Unconfirmed — verify before publishing	Watch NCA site; update compliance files on gazette
Pending	NCA issues final L6GHz / Wi-Fi 6 authorisation	Unconfirmed — verify before publishing	Confirm final power/indoor conditions before shipping 6 GHz devices