{"id":273446,"date":"2024-12-31T15:51:12","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T15:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/12\/31\/why-satellite-internet-in-ghana-could-be-good-and-bad-for-digital-public-services\/"},"modified":"2024-12-31T15:51:12","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T15:51:12","slug":"why-satellite-internet-in-ghana-could-be-good-and-bad-for-digital-public-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/12\/31\/why-satellite-internet-in-ghana-could-be-good-and-bad-for-digital-public-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Why satellite internet in Ghana could be good and bad for digital public services"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In Ghana, reliable internet is the backbone of digital public goods like the Ghana Card, online government services, and telemedicine platforms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without robust connectivity, these systems fail to reach the very people they are designed to serve.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Razak, better internet would mean not just economic opportunities but also access to essential services.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A nurse in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti region, Esther Boamah, says the clinic she works in struggles to use telemedicine platforms due to poor connectivity, leaving patients to travel long distances for care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, local schools rely on outdated teaching methods because digital education tools remain out of reach. This is where satellite internet could be a game-changer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike cable networks, which are costly and time-consuming to deploy in rural areas, satellite services like Starlink can provide high-speed coverage anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSatellite internet has the potential to connect remote schools, health centres, and businesses in ways we\u2019ve never seen before,\u201d says Henry Cobblah, a tech developer and lead at iSolve Africa. \u201cBut we must ensure it serves everyone, not just those who can afford it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Patchy internet connection has been the bane for most Ghanaians over the years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For students, businessmen, and women who rely on it for their trade, and for a section of the public who work remotely and rely on the internet for their nine to five in Ghana and abroad, stable internet feels like a distant hope.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A trader who plies his trade on e-commerce sites like Jiiji.com, Instagram and Facebook, Razak Rabiu, says patchy internet barely supports text messaging, so selling online always comes with challenges \u201cI hear about others selling online,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut here, the internet is so slow that even sending pictures takes forever. How can I grow my business?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Razak lives at Circle in the capital Accra, but imagine there are other millions of Ghanaians living in underserved areas where connectivity remains unreliable, if it exists at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can satellite internet be the game changer?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The arrival of Starlink, Elon Musk\u2019s satellite internet service, sparked some new hope\u2014and debate\u2014about whether this high-speed technology can finally bridge Ghana\u2019s digital divide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, as the country races to expand internet access, questions of affordability, digital inclusion, and data sovereignty loom large.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The price of connectivity<\/b><\/h3>\n

While satellite internet promises universal coverage, its high costs present a significant barrier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Starlink\u2019s starter kit, priced at over GHC5,390 with a GHC770 monthly fee, is prohibitively expensive for most rural households and middle-class homes.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, cable internet, though geographically limited, offers more affordable options for urban residents.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Razak, even a fraction of Starlink\u2019s costs is out of reach. \u201cI would love to have faster internet, but how can I afford it when I barely make enough to feed my family?\u201d he asks.<\/span><\/p>\n

This affordability gap risks excluding the very populations\u2019 satellite internet is meant to help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To avoid this, experts argue for a hybrid approach: leveraging cable networks in urban areas while subsidising satellite internet for underserved regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Public-private partnerships could also help lower costs, ensuring that rural schools, health centres, and community hubs gain access without burdening low-income families.<\/span><\/p>\n

Data Sovereignty: Who owns the information?<\/b><\/h3>\n

As Ghana digitises its public infrastructure, concerns about data sovereignty have taken centre stage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Satellite internet services like Starlink operate across multiple jurisdictions, raising questions about where Ghanaian data is stored and who controls it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Abubakar Issaka, a cybersecurity expert and president of the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Ghana, warns of the risks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf our public systems rely on foreign-owned satellite services, we must ensure that citizen data is protected under Ghanaian laws. Otherwise, we risk losing control over sensitive information.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ghana\u2019s Data Protection Act mandates stringent safeguards for personal data, but regulating foreign providers remains a challenge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Policymakers must negotiate agreements that ensure transparency and accountability while also investing in local internet service providers (ISPs) to reduce dependency on foreign entities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connectivity that empowers<\/b><\/h3>\n

Despite the challenges, satellite internet holds immense potential to transform lives and communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Razak, access to high-speed internet could mean expanding her business, connecting directly with buyers, and earning enough to send his younger siblings to school.<\/span><\/p>\n

In farming communities, reliable internet could enable local farmers to access weather forecasts and market prices, helping them plan better and avoid losses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schools could introduce digital tools, levelling the educational playing field for rural students. And health clinics could leverage telemedicine to deliver timely care, saving lives in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, realising this potential requires deliberate action. Policymakers must ensure that connectivity initiatives prioritise inclusivity and affordability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Subsidies, community-based programs, and collaboration with local ISPs can help bring the benefits of satellite internet to those who need it most.<\/span><\/p>\n

This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Caleb Ahinakwah<\/b><\/p>\n

The writer is a senior broadcast journalist at Asaase Radio and a DPI Fellow with the Media Foundation for West Africa.<\/b><\/p>\n

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