Welcome to Ghana's website

Infomation Infrastructure	Internet Availabity	Internet Affordability
Network Speed & Quality	Hardware & Software	Service & Support

Information Infrastructure (Stage 2)

The telephone system is run by Ghana Telecom and is relatively reliable. However, you will notice the overwhelmingly popular use of mobile telephones in the cities. Telephone density is 2.9 lines per 100 people. Mobile wireless penetration is about 3.8% of the population.
general assessment: poor to fair system; Internet accessible; many rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is underway
domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has been installed
international: country code - 233; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors; fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Internet Availability (Stage 2)

There are 42 licensed ISPs but only over 10 are operational: 1. NCS has a subscriber base of 10000 2. Africa Online - 3000 3. Internet Ghana - 6000 (4Mbps down 2 Mbps up) 4. African Express - 1000 5.Information Technology Solutions (ATS) 6. Africanus 7. IDN 8. Ucomgh 9. Wwwplus 10.GhaNet 11. Datamatrix. The rapid growth of the Internet has been limited due to the shortage of bandwidth. It is expected that in the future with the growth of the Internet market, that these companies will no longer require licensing.

There are a large number of small businesses providing public access telephone services, known as 'communication centers' in Ghana and an increasing number of them are now also providing dialup email and Internet access services. This has been assisted by competitive marketing among the ISPs which has seen AfricaOnline giving away free email accounts for use by the public at any suitably equipped communication centre.

Internet Affordability (Stage 2)

There is a prevalent complaint, from the Internet user perspective that the largest hindrance to Internet use is cost of dial-up calls. There is a proposal to create a renumbering structure for ISPs in order to allow more affordable rates for Internet access for Internet users by giving a special rate to data users versus voice users.
ISPs also suffer from GT's high cost for analog connections. GISPA (Ghana Internet Service Providers Association) is lobbying with the Minister of Communications to: a) Provide digital access to POPs b) Change the pricing policy for ISPs c) Enable a revenue sharing strategy with GT.

Network Speed and Quality (Stage 3)

There is much the criticism of mobile operators which stems from poor services and expensive charges. It is often difficult to get through to fixed-line networks from a cellular line and vice-versa. Customers experience congestion on the network during peak-periods. Excessive charges continue to be a concern for consumers who think that the services provided are not worth the price.

It takes approximately 24-48 hours lead-time to respond to faults. The waiting time depends on availability in Accra and is usually the same day. Waiting times are much longer in rural areas.

Internet Service Providers are not able to provide the proper quality of service (in terms of Internet connection) because GT's inability to provide digital access to points of presence (POPs). In place of that there is an analog phone line that breaks down intermittently.

All of the providers, except NCS, lease circuits (64-128kpbs) from the state-owned phone company. Network Computer Systems uses satellite dishes operating at 128-256kbps for inward and outward net traffic. The average end user operates from 19 to 28kbps.

Hardware and Software (Stage 2)

Both software and hardware companies do not need a license to start operations. Ghana's close ties to the English speaking world, due to its history with the British, has led British companies to open branches in Ghana. These companies come to Ghana accompanied by technological know-how. There are approximately ten software companies in Ghana. Most computer firms in Ghana do not do software development. They buy off the shelf software, and modify code to customize software companies to do end-user support.

There is difficulty in acquiring computers mainly due to high prices. There should be zero or very little import duties on such materials. The government continues to tax computer imports. There has been a lot of effort to remove the import tax and enhance access to computers. There are two computer assembly manufacturers in Ghana 1. EC-TECH and 2. Socio-Economic Development Center (SEDC).

Service and Support (Stage 2)

Ghana Telecom (GT), feeling threatened by other companies in the market is currently focusing on provision of customer support services to its customers. It has come out with various customer- oriented programs aimed at satisfying the ever-changing needs of its customers. GT established a new customer management and billing system and customer service centers. a) Customer Management and Billing System: Provides itemized billing on trunk domestic calls. This service is currently available for customers in Greater Accra and will be available to the rest of the country by the end of 2002. b) Customer Service Centers: GT has introduced a new concept of customer service centers.
These centers are attached to telephone exchange areas and operate as one-stop shops offering hassle-free order processing and service inquiries in a more informative congenial and customer-friendly atmosphere.

From the point of view of the Internet, it takes quite a few times to establish a dial-up connection to an ISP - causing customer dissatisfaction. There are no ISPs that are known to provide good customer service. The waiting time for a fixed line in a congested area (such as Accra) is one year and for a new area is one week.