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13 March 2025
The Ghanaian government is actively seeking strategies to boost internet penetration across the country, particularly in rural and underserved regions..png?lu=688)
Discussions have commenced with a delegation from the Global Mobile Operators Association Africa (GSMA Africa) to explore potential initiatives.
Proposed solutions include leveraging innovative technologies, expanding broadband infrastructure, and ensuring affordable access to digital services. The GSMA Africa team emphasized the importance of increasing both public and private investment, as well as creating a conducive environment for investment through regulatory reforms and policy incentives.
Currently, 68.6% of Ghanaians have internet access, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With the World Bank estimating the country’s population at around 34 million, it was revealed by Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the former Minister of Communications and Digitalization, that as of October 2023, 70% of the population lacks access to high-speed internet.
Most of the solutions discussed focus on enhancing infrastructure to improve network coverage; however, infrastructure alone will not ensure widespread technology adoption. The GSMA reports that 710 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, or 60% of the population, do not utilize mobile internet, even in areas where the service is available.
To achieve greater internet adoption, the Ghanaian government must also tackle additional factors such as access to internet-enabled devices, affordable service costs, digital skills development, the relevance of available content, online safety, and enhancing the overall connectivity experience.
