GHANA (GH) National ICT Profile

Key to table values All figures above in US Dollars ($)

ICT Profile:

Internet:

The national regulator has granted licenses to 20 ISPs but only currently 4 are operational (the license includes a content provider - Ghana Classifieds. Network Computer Systems (NCS) was the first full Internet provider in the country, since then Africa Online and local company Internet Ghana entered the market. Each ISP operates their own independent international Internet links and there is no local backbone or peering.

Ghana's telecomms regulator, the National Communications Authority recently shut down the ISP InterCom Data Network for operating Voice Over IP (VOIP) technology. It is the third ISP to be closed down for deploying the technology. Ghana's Minister of Communications says the country has lost US$9 million from VOIP operations by ISPs.

There are a large number of small businesses providing public access telephone services, known as 'communication centres' 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.

IP Telephony is not allowed in Ghana.

Telecommunications:

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) established the Accelerated Development Programme (ADP) for telecommunications in '95 to address the stagnant growth in the sector. The ADP is a reform program involving the establishment of a centralized regulatory body, the National Communications Authority (NCA), as the agency responsible for regulation of the telecom sector.

At the same time, Ghana Telecom (GT), was separated as a commercial entity from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, with a 30% stake sold to a Malaysian consortium for $38m and the availability of a second national operator's license was announced. The license was subsequently awarded to a consortium proposing a $10m investment headed by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), with the African Communications Group and Western Wireless (Cambridge Mass, US). GNPC is working with the Israeli company Gilat to deploy a VSAT-based telephone network around the country. Both GT and GNPC each have 20-year exclusivity licenses.

The MOTC plans to divest a further 21% of Ghana Telecom. It also hopes to exploit Ghana's strategic location at the centre of the ECOWAS region and intends to position the country as a hub for  trade and commerce driven telecommunications services.

Currently, Ghana's telephone network is still in a poor state of development but it is undergoing a process of rapid modernisation. While there were only about 50 000 lines in the whole of Accra at the last count this is increasing rapidly following the issue of the second operator's license. The backlog of lines is estimated at over 300 000 with very few lines in rural areas (over 70% are in Accra). Many of the exchanges Accra are now digitized, providing advanced services such as password, abbreviated dialling, call transfer, three-way conference, wake-up and call waiting. Motorola was awarded a contract in '96 to expand GT's wireless local loop system to 13 000 subscribers.

There is an analogue cellular network operated by Celltel (a joint venture between local investors and AT&T) and - Millicom Ghana, of the UK, operates a GSM cellular network.

Data Telcom (DATATEL) is establishing a national X.25 data network.

Communication Costs:

NCS: Unlimited dialup PPP & mail - US$30/month. (No email only accounts).

National ICT Policy Activities:

A draft national communications policy has been developed by the Ghanaian National Information and Communications Committee (GNICC) which comprises representatives from the academic, research, government and private sectors and co-ordinated by the University of Ghana, Legon, Balme Library. UNESCO has since agreed to fund the US$250 000 project, one of the initial goals being the establishment of the Ghana Academic and Research Network.

There are three major tertiary institutions in Ghana which currently connect via dialup links to the University of Ghana - the University of Science and Technology (Kumasi), the University of Development Studies, and the University College of Education. The World Bank's Tertiary Education Project started in '92 and the 5 year $5m programme is providing a variety of support measures to Ghana's four universities and six polytechnics, including computers and improved management information systems to link the institutions' libraries by email

The government has requested the Bank for Institutional Development Fund to implement a network to connect the Office of the President, the Parliament, the Ministry of Information and some other key ministries.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was the first to establish an email service in Ghana. The CSIR has recently launched a commercialisation project to restructure the organisation to become more demand driven in the transfer of technologies to the private sector and the public.

The Ministry of Health has a submitted a proposal to the InfoDev fund with the Global Health Network (GHnet) to link five hospitals, the University of Ghana and the Ministry of Health in Accra.

Compu-Data Services Ltd   Wishes to establish an ISP in Ghana.   

Dispatch Ltd   Operates a store and forward Internet service.   

Friends of the Earth - Ghana   Operates a store and forward Internet service.    postmaster@foe-ghana.gn.apc.org

Ghana Education Services     

Ghana Telecommunications Company      Mr Angelo Govina cyrilangelo@hotmail.com

Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology     

Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning     

Physics Action Council (PAC)     

Voluntary Workcamps Association of Ghana     

Ghanaian National Information and Communications Committee   Has developed a draft national communications policy. GNICC comprises representatives from the academic, research, government and private sectors and is co-ordinated by the University of Ghana, Legon, Balme Library. The Library was chosen in part for its long standing experience with email access and CD ROM use, the latter which has in part been assisted by the sub-Saharan African Program of the American  Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Support for the GNICC has been widespread, including government, with participation from the ministries of environment, science and technology, education, information, transport and communication. The Ghana Government has indicated its support for promoting access to ICTs in all segments of society, particularly in the educational system. The minister of finance in his '97 budget statement made the following declaration: "In view of the positive effects of the application of information technology on development, Government will ensure that key institutions of state machinery are linked to the Internet. All the science resource centres will be connected to the network as and when they are commissioned. The program to link the Universities together and to the Internet will also be pursued."

UNESCO has since agreed to fund the US$250 000 project, with the primary local partners being the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Transport and Communication.  One of the initial goals will be the establishment of the Ghana Academic and Research Network (GARNET).

In February '98 a GNICC conference was organised to help evaluate the current and potential users of the network, and to push for further government support for the programme. The meeting was well attended, including by the ministers of Education and of Telecommunications. The VSAT company Gilat (see below) proposed at the meeting that it would be interested in supporting the communications costs of a VSAT-based network for the initial year for participating insitutions able to cover the costs of the equipment (about US$10K). http://www.communication.gov.gh/compol98.html

The technical sub-committee of the GNCIC has been charged with designing the specifications of a national networking backbone. Within the context of the GNICC/GARNET project it was originally envisaged that the University of Ghana would form the hub for GARNET's Internet links to the other Universities and research centres. The university is is installing a fibre optic campus network with support from DANIDA, however it is about 12kms from the centre of Accra, using a wireless link to the local Internet hub operated by NCS. With the emergence of NCS's national Internet backbone with POPs in 3 cities, along with its active support for academic networking, and furthermore Gilat's interest, a joint private/public sector networking project may emerge. http://www.ug.edu.gh/    Mr O Barfi-Adomako barfi@balme-server.ug.edu.gh

Ministry of Transport and Communications   Established the Accelerated Development Programme (ADP) for telecommunications in '95 to address the stagnant growth in the sector. The ADP is a reform program involving the establishment of a centralized regulatory body, the National Communications Authority (NCA), as the agency responsible for regulation of the telecom sector. At the same time, Ghana Telecom (GT), was separated as a commercial entity from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, with a 30% stake sold to a Malaysian consortium for $38m and the availability of a second national operator's license was announced. The license was subsequently awarded to a consortium proposing a $10m investment headed by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), with the African Communications Group and Western Wireless (Cambridge Mass, US). GNPC is working with the Israeli company Gilat to deploy a VSAT-based telephone network around the country. Both GT and GNPC each have 20-year exclusivity licenses. The MOTC plans to divest a further 21% of Ghana Telecom. It also hopes to exploit Ghana's strategic location at the centre of the ECOWAS region and intends to position the country as a hub for  trade and commerce driven telecommunications services. http://www.communication.gov.gh/   

National Communications Authority      Mr Theophilus Botchway nca@ghana.com

Data Telcom   Is establishing a national X.25 data network.    Oliver Boachie oliver@internetghana.com

Gilat   An Israeli company working with GNPC to deploy a VSAT-based telephone network around the country.    Eric Tenkorang 106554.3123@compuserve.com

Radio Ada   The first non-government development-oriented community radio station in Ghana, Radio Ada, went on the air on 1 February 1999. The station, supported under a UNESCO/IPDC project, is based in Ada, about 80 km south-east of Accra, the national capital. From there, using a 350-watt transmitter and a 150-foot tower, Radio Ada covers a radius of approximately 80 km and broadcasts exclusively in the local language (Dangme) to an estimated population of 500,000. The target audience is mainly engaged in farming and fishing. Over 65% are illiterate and many speak only Dangme. The station is on the air 17 hours daily. All programmes are locally originated, produced and presented by volunteers from the community trained by the station.    radioada@ghana.com

Scancom Ltd   Service provider for GSM networks using the 'SNAP' prepaid facility.   

Volta River Authority (VRA)   Hydroelectric network operator that has added telecommunications services to its portfolio using its extensive fibre-optic network and is a licensed telecoms carrier in Ghana. The infrastructure has the capacity to provide telecom services in Benin, Togo, Cote D'Ivoire and Nigeria.    Eric N Yankah enyankah@ghana.com

Western Telesystems WESTEL   One of the companies in the joint-venture 2nd fixed line operator. http://www.westel.com.gh/    Hugh Kwame Wemegah kwamew@westel.com.gh

Africa Online Ghana   One of the major commercial Internet providers based in Accra, using VSAT connections to the US via a Teleglobe VSAT link. Also provides web hosting and content development services. Recently AfricaOnline came to an agreement with the Ghana Post Office to provide free email addresses upon request for use at Post Offices where the public can send email for about 0.25c per message. In the first two months of operation it was claimed that 30 000 email addresses were issued. http://www.africaonline.com.gh/    sales@AfricaOnline.com.gh

Fastel   To provide internet services in all the major cities in Ghana.    A. Kow Hanson hanson@cwcom.net

HealthNet Ghana   Operates an email service for the medical sector from the Medical Library at the University of Ghana.    edlib@gha.healthnet.org

Internet Ghana   A local company providing a full ISP service and which also operates an Internet Cafe in the Adabraka area of Accra. InternetGhana is a subsidiary of Electromod Group which include DataMatrix, the first company to introduce a purely digital data network in Ghana. http://www.internetghana.com/    tsowa@ighmail.com tsowa@ighMail.com

Network Computer Systems   The first Internet service provider in Ghana, NCS is also a systems house and turnkey solutions provider. The founder of NCS, Mr Nii Quaynor, has a personal interest in supporting academic and research networking. One of NCS's wireless links provides a free connection to the University of Ghana with the equipment being financed through the UNESCO training workshop and a further link to the University of Cape Coast is being established. http://www.ghana.com.gh/    Nii Quaynor support@ghana.com.gh

Network Computer Systems   A Ghanaian company that the first full Internet provider in west Africa, NCS operates a 2Mbps VSAT link to Teleglobe in Canada, NCS is the largest of the ISPs, with about 3 000 users.  Aside from Accra, it has established POPs in Kumasi and Takoradi, and is planning a further POP in Tamale. NCS is the top level domain administrator for .gh and maintains about 30 web sites, 6 wireless links and 4 cable based leased lines. A free email service is also available at http://www.ghanamail.com/

The director of NCS, Mr Nii Quaynor has a personal interest in supporting academic and research networking. One of NCS's wireless links provides a free connection to the University of Ghana with the equipment being financed through the UNESCO training workshop and a further link to the University of Cape Coast is being established. http://www.ghana.com/    Mr Nii Quaynor quaynor@ghana.com

Data Centa   Electronic publishing company that is completing the computerisation of Ghana's legal materials. Focussing on commercial legislation, it also does customised searches and monitors the press for customers.    Frances Gwira belm@africaonline.com.gh

Accu-Computers Ltd   Supply, installation and maintenance of computer hardware and peripherals. Authorised resellers for Apple Macintosh and Heidelberg Imagesetters.    Patrick Nutor acomp@africaonline.com.gh

Ansa Systems Ltd   Specialises in continuous AC and DC power systems including Powerware (Exide), Watford, Erskine equipment.    Ebenezer Ansah ansasys@ghana.com

Atlantis Computers & Electronics Ltd   IT equipment and cabling provider, distributor for Micron Electronics, BICC Bran-Rex structured cabling systems and authorised Microsoft reseller.    Annette Sammer atlantic@ghana.com

Blue Chip   A complete computer and office solutions provider. Markets an own-brand PC (Blue Chip) with components sourced from the US.    Cristel Markham bluechip@africaonline.com.gh

Bytes & PC World   IT solutions company providing PCs, networking, training, maintenance and technical services.    Aseye Tay

CGA Consult Ghana   Suncentre providing bespoke accounting systems, platform advice, installation and training.   

Computer Based Systems   Accpac accounting software international business partner. Also a supplier of the Best Power UPS equipment and other computer systems and services.    Alan Harris cbscomp@africaonline.com.gh

Digitronix Systems   Accredited distributor for Dell Computers, Powerware UPS, and ACCPAC accounting software.    Mr. Emmanuel Obeng digitronix@ighmail.com

Dione Ventures   Agent for Lonsto International (UK) Take-a-Ticket Queue Systems and other security equipment. Provides 24-hr on call maintenance service.    Ms Dayon Ako-Adounvo

Electronic Supplies and Engineering Services   Distributor for Maplin Electronics, semiconductors and other electronic components, accessories, sound production equipment, security, CCTV, books and technical information.    John Oteng-Nyame jony@ghana.com

IPMC   IT equipment supplier, largest supplier of Compaq computers in Ghana.    Mr Amar Hari amar@ghana.com

Kroboman   Office equipment and stationary supplier. Dealers for NGR International (UK) and Diatec Cles Spa (Italy). Also suppliers of photocopiers, computers and printers.    Peter Doku

Leefranco Supplies and Consultancy   Solutions and support for client/server computing, system integration, networking, databases and object oriented programming. Authorised dealers for CARRERA Technologies (UK).    Michael Segbegzi michaelleefranco@btinternet.com

Marles Ltd   Assembles computers locally and for the international market, including the USA. "A reverse feat that hints at its strong foothold in the information business worldwide", says a Marles representative.    Leslie Osei losei@hotmail.com

Masai Computer Services   Agent for IBM mid-range products, including the System 36 range and Netfinity.    Kofi Acquah kacquah@masai.com.gh

Modern Age Technologies   Distributor for the Merlin Gerin UPS, automatic voltage stabilisers and emergency power systems.    Michael Anane Abrah mat@ghana.com

Office Automation Systems   Provides a range of IT products including accounts and management tools for the banking sector.    Yaw Poku Ansah oas@ighana.com

Persol   Software developer ranging from retail management solutions to enterprise-wide business such as payroll and inventory management. Persol has recently expanded into electronic transaction payment processing systems.    M. A. Degraft-Johnson info@persol.net

ProVision Consultants   Certified Oracle Partner.    Nana Boaten apam@ghana.com

RCW Consulting   Distributor of Check Inn management software for managing small to medium size hotels, inns, lodges and guest houses.    Bob Cann-Wood rcannwood@worldnet.att.net

Reiss & Co (Ghana) Ltd   Local accredited agents for DELL Computers, IBM Computers, FUJITSU SIEMENS Computers We also hold similar agency rights for: - HEWLETT PACKARD printers - TALLY printers - VICTRON UPS - APC UPS - LANIER photocopiers and fax machines Also local represtatives for EXACT business suite. This covers: - Accounting Application Software - Industrial Application Software - Manufacturing Application Software. Also dealers in MICROSOFT applications software. Experienced in both Local and Wide Area Networks (LAN and WAN) using Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and FIBRE OPTIC cables.    Mr. Kweku Benefo mailto:ris_compdiv@reissco.com.gh

S.O.F.T Company Ltd   Software developer specialising in C++, Oracle and other SQL database engines for the Windows NT and 9X platforms.    Mr Joe Jackson soft@africaonline.com.gh

SAAP Tech   Supplies well-known brands of IT and computer hardware including American Power Conversion, Epson, Compaq, and Link Technology.    Earnest Uwabum saaptech@gh.com

Scala West Africa   Provides accounting, sales, distribution, manufacturing, project management and service applications based on Windows NT and SQL server.    Mr Akwa swa@ghana.com

Softtwarehouse & Consultancy Services   Develops custom-designed software such as SCSBANK used in over 60 bank branches in Ghana.   

Videomart Electronics   Supplier of US-made power conditioning and UPS equipment.   

Cutting Edge Solutions   Provides data related services and technology publishing in Ghana. Through service partner Ontrack Disk Recovery (Europe) it also provides lost data salvaging services.    C.K. Bruce ckbruce@technologist.com

Internet Society Ghana Chapter   Set up to promote the expansion of the Internet in Ghana in all related areas including infrastructure, value-added services, content, use and technical advancement. Particular attention will be placed on the Internet reaching rural communities in a manner and language suitable for their participation. http://www.isoc.org.gh/    isoc@ghana.com

Association of African Universities   An intergovernmental agency based in Accra serving about 100 universities in 39 countries. The AAU was among the first institutions in Ghana with an email connection and hosted some early studies in and workshops in '92 on electronic networking with the AAAS. More recently the AAU furnished some dialup email links for local universities until full Internet services were locally established. It is in the process of developing an extensive web site on African universities and has recently established a leased line Internet link from the PTO to Internet Ghana.

The AAU is being assisted by the Carnegie Corporation in the development of a database of science and technology research activities in African universities. The AAU is supported technically by Kofi Arthiabah who studied at Nacetem in Nigeria and has participated a number of international training workshops as a resource person. http://www.aau.org/    secgen@aau.org

School of Applied Computing Technology   The net enables low cost high quality distributed education systems that by-pass existing dysfunctional systems and are capable of being presented to all people as a major instrument of social and economic reform. Infrastructural impediments are surmountable, using an appropriate blend of alternative and developing technologies. http://school-of-applied-computing-technology-1986-number-bn58892a-edu.com/    admin admin@asantemail.zzn.com

University of Cape Coast   The Computer Centre at UCC is establishing a full Internet link via NCS which is supporting the costs of the link. UCC is gathering information on the University in preparation for establishing an extensive web site. It has also presented a final proposal for $181K to Carnegie Corporation to assist in the provision of a campus network starting with the Science faculty as a pilot. Once the campus network and Internet link are established UCC would become the hub for the Central and Western Regions.

UCC and the CSIR are collaborating on a training programme in wireless data communications with support from ICTP in Trieste. The chief technician at UCC is Daniel Obuobi.    Daniel Obuobi csucc@ghana.com

University of Ghana, Legon, Balme Library   Is co-ordinating the GNICC (see separate entry) which comprises representatives from the academic, research, government and private sectors. The Library was chosen in part for its longstanding experience with email access and CD ROM use, the latter which has in part been assisted by the sub-Saharan African Program of the American  Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

The university is is installing a fibre optic campus network with support from DANIDA, however it is about 12kms from the centre of Accra, using a wireless link to the local Internet hub operated by NCS. With the emergence of NCS's national Internet backbone with POPs in 3 cities, along with its active support for academic networking, and furthermore Gilat's interest, a joint private/public sector networking project may emerge. http://www.ug.edu.gh/    Mr O Barfi-Adomako barfi@balme-server.ug.edu.gh

University of Science and Technology   One of three major tertiary institutions in Ghana which currently connect via dialup links to the University of Ghana.    ustlib@ust.gn.apc.org

AITEC Ghana   Ghana office of the UK-based trade show and ICT magazine publisher http://www.aitec-africa.com/    aitecinfo@africaonline.com.gh

Ghana National Petroleum Corporation   Ghana Telecom (GT), was separated as a commercial entity from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, with a 30% stake sold to a Malaysian consortium for $38m and the availability of a second national operator's license was announced. The license was subsequently awarded to a consortium proposing a $10m investment headed by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), with the African Communications Group and Western Wireless (Cambridge Mass, US). GNPC is working with the Israeli company Gilat to deploy a VSAT-based telephone network around the country. Both GT and GNPC each have 20-year exclusivity licenses. http://www.gnpc.com.gh/    gnpc@ncs.com.gh

Panos Institute West Africa   West Africa office of the international media research instite. It has a programme to study new information technologies. http://www.panos.sn/    Diana Senghor panosweb@telecomplus.sn

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research  

The CSIR has recently launched a commercialization project to restructure the organization to become more demand driven in the transfer of technologies to the private sector and the public. The project is being assisted by its counterpart, the CSIR in South Africa, and will initially focus on the Food Research Institute, Building and Roads Research Institute, the Institute of Industrial Research and the Secretariat.  CSIR continues to be the UNESCO IIP focal point, represented by Mr JA Villars, GhastiNet. The CSIR Director General is Prof. W.S. Alhassan, the Chairman is Francis Allotey who has also been active in GNICC. http://www.csir.org.gh/    Francis Allotey csir@ghana.com

If located in Africa and not listed here, add your organisation to this page.

return to asantedom archive index here

return to asantedom.com front page here