Ghana yesterday marked 30 years of internet use with a call for stronger policies and infrastructure to expand access and improve speed, reliability, and affordability.
At a ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Director of Innovation at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr Emmanuel Ofori, said the country’s internet journey had been full of challenges and lessons worth preserving.
He recalled the early days when communication centres were the main access points, where people booked time slots to browse or send emails.
“At that time, the internet kept turning, going on and off, but it was still exciting to have some form of connection. Communication centres became our meeting points until Busy Internet introduced a more open environment,” he stated.
Mr Ofori said liberalisation of the sector by the National Communications Authority opened the way for private operators such as MTN and Vodafone to expand services, leading to the gradual shift from 2G to 3G, 3.5G and later 4G.
Contrary to early doubts, he noted, smartphones had become the main channel for internet access, driving the growth of social media and digital applications.
He, however, admitted that the cost of internet in Ghana remained high compared to other countries, warning that it could undermine innovation.
“Today, people can work abroad from Ghana, but your internet must be reliable. If it fails, you cannot deliver work such as outsourcing services,” he cautioned.
Mr Ofori urged the strengthening of data centres, the creation of an enabling environment for private sector investment, and the provision of affordable access, especially in rural areas still dependent on 2G and 3G.
He also proposed the establishment of a digital museum to document Ghana’s internet history for future generations.
Also addressing the gathering, Professor Nii Quaynor, former Executive Chairman of Network Computer Systems and widely regarded as one of the fathers of the internet in Africa, identified key areas requiring improvement to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem.
He called for an increase in IPv6 adoption, which currently stands at just one per cent, and the development of more local data centres to improve resilience.
He noted that only 49 per cent of Ghanaian websites were hosted locally, and urged a rise in this figure to keep more internet traffic within the country.
On digital skills, Professor Quaynor stressed the need for comprehensive literacy programmes and training in specialised fields such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and emerging technologies. He urged universities and vocational institutions to adapt curricula to meet the demands of the digital economy.
He further called for supportive government policies, tax incentives for technology start-ups, and the establishment of innovation funds to ease entry barriers.
“Connectivity has improved to about 70 per cent, but access costs remain high. If we can reduce these costs, expand broadband to rural areas, and encourage more locally relevant content, Ghana’s digital economy will grow even faster,” he added.
By Agnes Opoku Sarpong
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