A group of women gather under the shade of a baobab tree in Nyankpala in Ghana\u2019s Northern Region to discuss their latest shea butter exports.<\/p>\n
As their conversation continues, Hasana Ibrahim pulls out her small \u201cyam\u201d feature phone and dials a familiar string of numbers.<\/p>\n
Within moments, she confirms receipt of payment from Tama Cosmetics for her butter sale.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe rely on mobile money through USSD to get paid,\u201d Hasana explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout it, we would have to travel hours to Tamale to collect cash, wasting time and resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Hasana, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) technology is more than a convenience\u2014it\u2019s the backbone of her business.<\/p>\n
Moving away from the North, Adwoa Kwarteng, a maize farmer in the Eastern region, navigates her \u201cyam\u201d feature phone with ease.<\/p>\n
With a few taps, she sends money to her daughter in Accra, all without needing internet access.<\/p>\n
\u201cUSSD has been a game-changer for us in the village,\u201d Adwoa says. \u201cI don\u2019t need an expensive phone or internet to handle my transactions. It\u2019s simple and reliable.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Similarly, Kwame Owusu, a cocoa farmer in the Ahafo Region, uses USSD to manage his finances.<\/p>\n
Before the advent of mobile money services, Kwame had to travel two hours to the nearest bank. Now he saves his earnings on his phone and transfers funds directly to suppliers for fertilizer and other farming inputs.<\/p>\n
\u201cUSSD has made it easier for me to save money and pay bills,\u201d Kwame shares. \u201cBut sometimes, poor network coverage means I have to walk to another village just to complete a transaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
For many in rural Ghana, smartphones remain a luxury, with basic feature phones known widely as yam phones being the primary means of communication.<\/p>\n
This gap, however, has not excluded them from engaging in essential digital transactions.<\/p>\n
USSD has become the lifeline for rural populations, ensuring digital equity in an era of rapid technological evolution.<\/p>\n
From mobile money transfers to e-government services and utility payments, USSD empowers individuals without smartphones or internet access to participate in the digital economy.<\/p>\n
Typically assigned by a telecommunications company, an application built using USSD will have a unique short code comprising a combination of numbers and the \u2018*\u2019 and \u2018#\u2019 wild characters; for example, *900#.<\/p>\n
A USSD code may be dedicated or shared (for example, \u201c*800*30#\u201d).<\/p>\n
Its simplicity, affordability, and accessibility have made it a critical tool in bridging Ghana\u2019s digital divide.<\/p>\n
Financial Inclusion Through USSD<\/strong><\/p>\n USSD-powered mobile money services have redefined financial access for rural communities.<\/p>\n Parents in remote areas use USSD to pay school fees. Kojo Mensah, a carpenter in the Central Region, praises the service. \u201cMy son\u2019s school is far, but I can pay his fees from here without missing work,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n The convenience is not without its challenges, though. Poor network coverage often disrupts transactions. \u201cSometimes, I have to walk to the next village for better reception,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n Expanding Public Services with USSD<\/strong><\/p>\n USSD is not just about financial services\u2014it has also become a gateway for rural communities to access public services.<\/p>\n In Bonsuoku in the Central region, a teacher, Yaw Mensah, uses USSD to pay for electricity credits.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us in rural areas, these services are a lifeline,\u201d Mensah says. \u201cIt saves us trips to the city, which are expensive and time-consuming.\u201d<\/p>\n The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has also adopted USSD for membership renewals, greatly benefiting rural dwellers.<\/p>\n \u201cI renewed my NHIS card in minutes without leaving my farm,\u201d says Akosua Dapaah, a maize farmer in the Bono East Region.<\/p>\n Challenges and Gaps<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite its advantages, USSD faces several hurdles. Transaction failures due to network instability remain a common complaint. \u201cSometimes, you finish all the steps, but the money doesn\u2019t go through,\u201d says Hasana Ibrahim from Nyankpala.<\/p>\n Moreover, literacy barriers also pose a challenge. In Nyankpala, some traders struggle to navigate the menus.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I don\u2019t understand something, I have to ask my grandson to help,\u201d admits Salamatu Alhassan, a market vendor.<\/p>\n Experts suggest that addressing these issues will require investment in network infrastructure and tailored education programs.<\/p>\n Expert Perspectives: Sustaining and Enhancing USSD<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Telecommunications experts emphasize the importance of sustaining USSD as a pillar of digital inclusion.<\/p>\n \u201cUSSD is critical for achieving digital equity in Ghana,\u201d says Ebenezer Owusu, a business and systems analyst and a member of the ICT professionals in Ghana.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we focus on advanced technologies, we must ensure USSD systems are reliable and secure.\u201d<\/p>\n PeterKing Quaye, a regional executive director with the West Africa ICT action network in digital inclusion, agrees.<\/p>\n \u201cGhana\u2019s DPI must cater to everyone, including those without smartphones. Integrating USSD into newer platforms will ensure inclusivity,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Both experts also stress the importance of public education. \u201cPeople need to be aware of how to use USSD securely to avoid fraud and errors,\u201d Ebenezer Owusu adds.<\/p>\n A Future of Inclusive Digitization<\/strong><\/p>\n USSD\u2019s role in Ghana\u2019s digital landscape underscores the importance of inclusivity in technological development. By providing a bridge for underserved populations to access essential services, USSD has proven that advanced technology is not the only path to progress.<\/p>\n The government and telecom providers must work together to improve network reliability, enhance security, and educate users on maximizing USSD\u2019s potential. For now, the simple act of dialling a short code remains a testament to the power of innovation to empower even the most marginalized communities.<\/p>\n \u201cUSSD may not be fancy, but it works,\u201d says Adwoa Kwarteng. \u201cAnd for us, that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the\u00a0 Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop.<\/p>\n Caleb Ahinakwah<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>The writer is a senior broadcast journalist at Asaase Radio and a DPI Fellow with the media foundation for West Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on\u00a0<\/em>Asaase 99.5<\/em>\u00a0Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra). \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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