 Challenges
of the Telecommunications
Ghana is making strenuous efforts at growth in the telecommunications sector. Presently, there are two major operators in the sector; Ghana Telecom and Westel.
Ghana Telecom launched an expansion program to deliver 25,000 direct lines and 300 pay phones between February 1997 and February 1998. Records indicate that this target has been exceeded. In fact, the company delivered 27,600 lines and installed more than 1,000 pay phones.
 | The Communications Minister John Mahama , says that the vision for the next 10 years is to ensure that every community that can show a potential telephone-user demand of 500 people should get a telephone. This vision should not be difficult for the operators since Ghana Telecom for instance has a nationwide network.
In terms of mobile phones there is great potential. Presently, Ghana has three major operators; Spacefon , Celltell and Mobitel. They are currently concentrating their operations in the capital Accra, and are yet to explore the rural areas where about 70 per cent of the total population of Ghana lives.
Mr. Ahmed Farrouk, Managing Director of Spacefon said the company has introduced a lot of high-tech systems including group calling, SMS service, and mobile internet on their equipment which is supplied by Ericsson. Since it began its operations three years ago, Spacefon has registered 27,000 subscribers and has over 50 per cent share of the industry.
Perhaps one area that the telecommunications industry has not been able to exploit fully is the internet. John Mahama said that the National Telecommunication Authority (NCA) has issued internet service provider licenses to Ghana Telecom and Westel. "We have licensed a lot of private operators too. What we are trying to do is to let the consumer get the best from the competition that will take place" he added. |
GHANA
