Editing Telecommunications in Ghana

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use Ghanaian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox
|title        = Telecommunications in Ghana
|image        = [[File:Ghana (orthographic projection).svg|200px|alt=Ghana Orthographic Projection]]
|caption      = Ghana
|header1 = Ghana communications topics
|data2   = {{flatlist|1=
* [[Economy of Ghana|Economy]]
* [[Electricity sector in Ghana|Energy]]
* [[Ghana Internet Exchange]]
* [[Media in Ghana|Media]]
* [[New media in Ghana|New media]]
* [[List of radio stations in Ghana|Radio stations]]
* Telecommunications
* [[Transport in Ghana|Transportation]]
}}
|header4 = Statistics
|label5  = Land lines
|data5   = 285,000 (2012)<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/>
|label6  = Mobile cellular lines
|data6   = 25.6&nbsp;million (2012)<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/>
|label7  = Internet users
|data7   = 4.2&nbsp;million (2012)<ref name=NIUCalc/><ref name=ITU-IndividualsUsingTheInternet/>
}}

'''Telecommunications in Ghana''' include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet.

Telecommunications is the main [[economic sector]] of [[Ghana]] according to the statistics of the [[World Bank]] due to the Ghana liberal policy around [[Information and communications technology]] (ICT).<ref name="Statistics of Ghana"/> Among the main sectors of investments, 65% is for ICT, 8% for communications and 27% is divided for public administration.<ref name="Statistics of Ghana">[http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?Projectid=P118585&theSitePK=2748767&piPK=64624214&enableDHL=TRUE&pagePK=64283627&menuPK=2804981&Type=Overview&hlPK=2810751 Statistics of Ghana] "World Bank". Retrieved 6 June 2013.</ref><ref name=stats />

==Freedom of the press==

After the overthrow of the elected government by [[Jerry Rawlings]] in December 1981 the [[Provisional National Defence Council]] repealed the liberal media reforms of previous governments, abolished the Third Constitution and the Press Commission, and passed laws that prevented criticism of the government or its policies, dismissed editors critical of Rawlings or the provisional council, the Preventive Custody and Newspaper Licensing Law which allowed indefinite detention of journalists without trial, and the Newspaper Licensing Law which stifled private media development. Ghanaian press freedom was restored with the promulgation of a new constitution in 1992, presidential and parliamentary elections in November and December 1992, and a return to multiparty democratic rule on 7 January 1993.<ref name="GhanaHistory">[http://country-facts.com/en/country/africa/55-ghana/263-ghana-history.html "Ghana – History"], "Country Facts". Retrieved 6 February 2013.</ref>

The mass media of Ghana is "among the most liberal in Africa",<ref name="Ghana culture and media">[http://country-facts.com/en/country/africa/55-ghana/269-ghana-culture-and-media.html "Ghana – Culture and Media"], "Country Facts". Retrieved 6 February 2013.</ref> with Ghana ranking as the third freest in Africa and 30th in the world on the [[Press Freedom Index|''2013 World Press Freedom Index'']] from [[Reporters Without Borders]].<ref name=RWBPFIndex2013>[http://fr.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/classement_2013_gb-bd.pdf ''2013 World Press Freedom Index''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013163532/http://fr.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/classement_2013_gb-bd.pdf |date=13 October 2015 }}, Reporters Without Borders, 30 January 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.</ref> Article 21 of the [[Constitution of Ghana]] guarantees [[freedom of the press|freedom of the press and other media]], [[freedom of speech|freedom of speech and expression]], [[freedom of thought|thought]], and [[freedom of information|information]].<ref>[[Wikisource:Constitution of Ghana#21. General Fundamental Freedoms|Article 21: General Fundamental Freedoms]], Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 28 April 1992. Retrieved 15 February 2014.</ref>

==Internet==
[[File:Fibreoptic.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Optical fiber|Fiber optics]], used for high-speed [[Internet access]] and telecommunications.]]
{{See also |New media in Ghana}}

The [[top-level domain]] of Ghana is [[.gh]].<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/>

Ghana was one of the first countries in Africa to connect to the Internet.<ref name=stats>[http://www.internetworldstats.com/af/gh.htm Ghana: Internet Usage and Telecommunications Report]. ''Internet World Stats''. Retrieved 24 April 2013.</ref> With an average household download speed of 5.8&nbsp;Mbit/s Ghana had the third fastest speed on the [[African continent]] and the 110th fastest out of 188 countries worldwide in February 2014.<ref name="Ookla Net Metrics">{{cite web |work=Ookla Net Metrics |publisher=[[Speedtest.net]] |url=http://www.netindex.com/download/allcountries/ |title=Ookla: Household Download Index |access-date=15 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118054535/http://www.netindex.com/download/allcountries/ |archive-date=18 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2009 the number of [[List of countries by number of Internet users|Internet users]] stood at 1.3&nbsp;million, 93rd in the world.<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/> In 2012 the number of Internet users reached 4.2&nbsp;million (69th in the world) or 17.1% of the population (149th in the world).<ref name=NIUCalc>Calculated using penetration rate and population data from [https://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/rank.php "Countries and Areas Ranked by Population: 2012"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329060848/https://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/rank.php |date=29 March 2017 }}, Population data, International Programs, U.S. Census Bureau, retrieved 26 June 2013</ref><ref name=ITU-IndividualsUsingTheInternet>[http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/statistics/2013/Individuals_Internet_2000-2012.xls "Percentage of Individuals using the Internet 2000–2012"], International Telecommunication Union (Geneva), June 2013, retrieved 22 June 2013</ref>

In 2012 there were 62,124 fixed (109th in the world; 0.3% of the population, 156th in the world) and 8.2&nbsp;million wireless (27th in the world; 33.3% of the population, 49th in the world) [[List of countries by number of broadband Internet subscriptions|broadband subscriptions]].<ref name=NIUCalc/><ref name="FixedBroadbandITUDynamic2012">[http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Reporting/DynamicReportWizard.aspx "Fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 2012"], Dynamic Report, ITU ITC EYE, [[International Telecommunication Union]]. Retrieved on 29 June 2013.</ref><ref name="MobleBroadbandITUDynamic2012">[http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Reporting/DynamicReportWizard.aspx "Active mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants 2012"], Dynamic Report, ITU ITC EYE, [[International Telecommunication Union]]. Retrieved on 29 June 2013.</ref>

In 2012 there were 59,086 [[List of countries by number of Internet hosts|Internet hosts]] operating in Ghana, 93rd in the world,<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/> and Ghana had been allocated 332,544 [[List of countries by IPv4 address allocation|IPv4 addresses]], 102nd in the world, with less than 0.05% of the world total, and 13.2 addresses per 1000 people.<ref>[http://www.countryipblocks.net/country-blocks/select-formats/ Select Formats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513033601/http://www.countryipblocks.net/country-blocks/select-formats/ |date=13 May 2009 }}, Country IP Blocks. Accessed on 2 April 2012. Note: Site is said to be updated daily.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2119.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003851/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2119.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2007|title=Population|work=[[The World Factbook]]|location=United States|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=2 April 2012}} Note: Data are mostly for 1 July 2012.</ref>

In 2010 there were 165 authorised [[Internet service provider]]s of which 30 were operating.<ref name=proexca>[http://www.proexca.es/Portals/0/Documents/EstudiosMercado/Africa/Informe_Telecomunicaciones_en_Ghana.pdf ''Market Report: Telecommunications in Ghana''] {{in lang|es}}, Nabila Atteneri Benítez Trujillo, Proexca, November 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2013.</ref>

===Internet censorship and surveillance===

There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or reports that the government monitors e-mail or Internet [[chat rooms]] without judicial oversight. Individuals and groups engage in the peaceful expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail.<ref name=USDOS-CRHRP-Ghana-2012>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204126 "Ghana"], ''Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012'', Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 25 March 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2014.</ref>

While the constitution and law provide for [[freedom of speech]] and [[freedom of the press|press]], the government sometimes restricts those rights. The police arbitrarily arrest and detain journalists.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154349.htm|title=Ghana|work=U.S. Department of State|access-date=2018-03-31|language=en-US}}</ref> Some journalists practice [[self-censorship]]. The constitution prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, and the government respects these prohibitions in practice.<ref name=USDOS-CRHRP-Ghana-2012/>

In 2002 the government of Ghana censored Internet media coverage of tribal violence in [[Northern Ghana]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ghana Internet Censorship 2008| date= 15 December 2008|publisher=NIBII|url=http://www.nibii.com/articlesghanacensorship}}</ref>

==Radio and television==
[[File:Edificios de los Medios de comunicación en Ghana (Panomara of Media Buildings in Ghana).jpg|right|260px|[[Mass communication]]s and Mass media [[corporate headquarters]].|thumb]]
{{See also |List of radio stations in Ghana}}

In 2007 Ghana was served by one state-owned TV station, two state-owned radio networks; privately owned TV stations and a number of privately owned radio stations. International broadcasters and cable and satellite TV subscription services were available.<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/> In 2010, there were 140 authorised radio stations with 84 in operation and 32 authorised television stations with approximately 26 in operation.<ref name=proexca /> [[Television broadcasting|Television broadcasters]] include First Digital TV (ATV, BTA, FAITH TV, CHANNEL D, STAR TV, FTV, SPORTS 24, CINIMAX, PLANET KIDZ) [[TV Africa]], [[Metro TV (Ghana)|Metro TV]], [[TV3 Ghana|TV3]], [[GTV (Ghana)|GTV]], GH One TV<ref>{{Cite web|title = GhOne Television|url = http://ghonetv.com/|website = ghonetv.com|access-date = 2015-12-20}}</ref> and [[Viasat 1]].

The [[Ghana Broadcasting Corporation]] (GBC) founded by decree in 1968 is the [[state agency]] that provides civilian radio and television services. It was created for the development of the [[Education in Ghana|education]] and [[Media in Ghana|entertainment]] sectors and to enhance the knowledge of the people of Ghana.<ref>[http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/2012-02-08-08-18-09/ministries/258-ministry-of-information-and-media-relations "Ministry of Information and Media Relations"]. Government of Ghana Portal. Retrieved 6 February 2013.</ref>

The television industry has increased over this period in the country. There have been a lot of television stations established within the country and whether we like it or not, it has shaped the societies in many ways. The Top 5 TV stations in Ghana according to Green Views Residential Projects are GTV (Ghana Television), [https://cititvonline.com/ Citi TV], [https://www.utvghana.com/ UTV] (United Television), TV3, and [[GHOne TV|GH One TV]](Ghana One Television).<ref>{{Cite web |last=GreenViews |date=2022-02-15 |title=Top 5 TV stations in Ghana |url=https://greenviewsresidential.com/top-5-tv-stations-in-ghana/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Green Views Residential Project |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Telephones==
[[File:Ghana Mobile Phone Use.jpg|thumb|right|330px|{{center|Ghana mobile phone and [[Smartphone|smart phone]] use, July 2009.}}]]
{{See also |Telephone numbers in Ghana}}

The [[List of country calling codes|prefix code]] of Ghana for [[international call]]s is +233.<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ghana/ "Communications: Ghana"], ''World Factbook'', U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 28 January 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.</ref>

As of 2012 there were 285,000 fixed [[telephone line]]s in use, 120th in the world, and 25.6&nbsp;million [[Cellular network|mobile cellular]] lines, 42nd in the world.<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/>

The telephone system has a fixed-line infrastructure concentrated in Accra and some wireless local loop installed, domestic trunks primarily use [[microwave radio relay]]. There are 4 [[Intelsat]] (Atlantic Ocean) satellite earth stations. [[Microwave radio relay]] links Ghana to its neighbours (2009).<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/>

The [[SAT-3/WASC]], [[Main One (cable system)|Main One]], [[GLO-1 (cable system)|GLO-1]],<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/> and [[ACE (cable system)|ACE]] [[List of international submarine communications cables|international optical fibre submarine cables]] provide links to countries along the west coast of Africa and on to Europe and Asia.<ref>[http://www.telecompaper.com/news/ghana-to-start-eastern-corridor-optical fibre-project—898764 Ghana to start eastern corridor fibre-optic project]. ''Telecompaper.com''. Retrieved 24 April 2013.</ref>

In 2010 two [[fixed phone|fixed line]] and six mobile phone companies were authorised to operate in Ghana of which 5 were operating, 13 satellite providers were authorised of which 8 were operating, 176 [[VSAT]] providers were authorised of which 57 were operating, and 99 public and private network operators were authorised of which 25 were operating. Authorized telecommunications companies include [[MTN Group|Mobile Telecommunications Networks]] (MTN), [[Vodafone Ghana]] which purchased Telecom Ghana, [[Tigo]] which replaced Mobitel (Millicom International Cellular), [[Bharti Airtel]] and Zain which acquired Western Telesystems Ltd (Westel), [[Globacom|Glo Mobile Ghana Limited]],<ref name = proexca /> and Expresso Telecom which acquired Kasapa Telecom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expresso takes over Kasapa Telecom, pledges good services|url=http://www.ghananewsagency.org/economics/expresso-takes-over-kasapa-telecom-pledges-good-services-22498|publisher=Ghana News Agency |date=13 November 2010 |access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref> In 2017, Tigo Ghana and Airtel Ghana merged to form AirtelTigo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airtel, Tigo merger approved by NCA |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/airtel-tigo-merger-approved-by-nca.html}}</ref>

Competition among [[Mobile network operator|mobile-cellular providers]] has spurred growth, with a mobile phone teledensity in 2009 of more than 80 per 100 persons and rising.<ref name=CIAWFB-Ghana-2014/> The cost of mobile phones is increased by taxes of around 38%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21711511-mobile-phones-are-transforming-africa-where-they-can-get-signal-mobile-phones|title=Mobile phones are transforming Africa|date=2016-12-10|newspaper=The Economist|issn=0013-0613|access-date=2016-12-15}}</ref>

The Ghana's telecom market has undergone several changes in recent years, following the privatisation of the incumbent telco Ghana Telecom and its rebranding as Vodafone Ghana. Two of the key players merged to form AirtelTigo in 2017, though in mid-2020 the parent companies of the operator decided to exit the market. The sale and transfer of AirtelTigo to the state was completed in November 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2023 |title=Ghana Telecoms Market Report |url=https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Ghana-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses}}</ref>

According to the Ghana Telecom Services Market Reports, the telecom services market size in Ghana was valued at $1.9 billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period, 2022–2027. Initiatives such as Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Projects and Smart City Project will be driving the telecom sector in the country. The reports shows the leading telecom Companies in Ghana; MTN Ghana, Vodafone Ghana, AirtelTigo Ghana and Glo Ghana.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghana Telecom Services Market Size and Analysis by Service Revenue, Penetration, Subscription, ARPU's (Mobile and Fixed Services by Segments and Technology), Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2022-2027 |url=https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/ghana-telecom-operators-market-analysis/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Market Research Reports & Consulting {{!}} GlobalData UK Ltd. |language=en-US}}</ref>

As the telecommunication giant in the county, MTN Ghana is on course to expand and improve its network by 2025 with $1 billion investment. This will go a long way to improve the telecommunication services in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTN Ghana on course with $1 billion network investment - Ghana Telecoms Chamber |url=https://www.telecomschamber.com/news-media/industry-news/mtn-ghana-on-course-with-1-billion-network-investment |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=www.telecomschamber.com}}</ref>

== Covid-19 impact ==
COVID-19 pandemic had a negligible impact on the Ghana telecom industry that brought about change in the industry. In March 2020, business hours broadband consumption has increased, as the country adjusted to life with COVID-19. The telecom sector witnessed growth in weekday viewership, movie rentals and purchases. Live viewing is increased by 15% and free video-on-demand is increased by 25% during the week as more people were in lock-down staying at home.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ghana Telecommunication Market Report (2020-2025) |url=https://www.globalmonitor.us/product/ghana-telecommunication-market-report |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=www.globalmonitor.us |language=en}}</ref>

Ghana Telecom Market has witnessed strong growth in recent years and is expected to have continued growth over the forecast period to 2025. The growth in the industry is mainly due to increasing urban population with rising adoption of the mobile phones that supports 3G, 4G and 5G services across the country. Telecom sector is further expected to have strong growth over the forecast period with rising adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) in the sector that connects with wired and wireless broadband.<ref name=":0" />

==See also==

* [[Ghana Internet Exchange]] (GIX)
* [[New media in Ghana]]
* [[Media in Ghana]]
* [[Ghana Internet Policy|Internet in Ghana]]
* [[Africa Digital Awards]]

==Further reading==

* {{cite book
|last=Jonnie Akakpo
|title=Rural Access: Options and Challenges for Connectivity and Energy in Ghana
|publisher=[[International Institute for Communication and Development]] (IICD) and Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing (GINKS)
|date=October 2008
|pages=41
|url=http://www.iicd.org/files/Rural-Access-Ghana.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529232719/http://www.iicd.org/files/Rural-Access-Ghana.pdf |archive-date=2009-05-29 |url-status=live
}}

==References==

* {{CIA World Factbook |year=2014}}
* {{US DOS |year=2012}}
{{reflist |30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.gixa.org.gh Ghana Internet Exchange] (GIX), website.
* [http://www.gispa.org.gh Ghana Internet Service Providers Association] (GISPA), website.
* [http://www.nca.org.gh/ National Communications Authority] (NCA), website.

{{Clear}}
{{Ghana topics}}
{{Africa topic|Telecommunications in}}
{{Telecommunications}}
{{Internet censorship by country}}

[[Category:Telecommunications in Ghana| ]]