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ICTs and Media Companies
OVERVIEW
Ghana’s Information and Communication Technol-
ogy sector has progressed over the last decade. As
one of the first countries to introduce widespread
liberalization in basic telecommunications services,
in 1994, Ghana took an important step forward in
embracing the potential of competitive markets to
generate growth and innovation in the sector.
The ICT Industry comprises telecommunications
operators, internet service providers, VSAT data
operators, software manufacturers, broadcast insti-
tutions, ICT education providers, internet cafés, etc.
Generally, the Ministry of Communications and the
National Communications Authority (NCA) oversee
activities in the sector.
The infrastructural base of the sector includes li-
censed gateway operators, SAT-3 Access, Pri-
vate Licensed VSAT Systems, Fixed Wired Line
Networks, Wireless Mobile Operators, Public tel-
ephones systems, Telecentres, Dedicated Transmis-
sion Networks, Public Distribution Networks (cable,
TV, DSL, etc), Internet Service Providers, Internet
Backbone Connectivity throughout the Country and
Public Access Point and Broadcasting Systems. As
an initiative to support emerging technologies, the
Ministry of Communications is also facilitating the
establishment of a Science and Technology Parks.
Ghana remains a very safe and secure investment
destination. It has established the necessary legal
and regulatory framework which guarantees the
safety of investments in the ICT industry.
Indeed, Ghana has been recognized as an attrac-
tive destination for Business Processing Outsourcing
(BPO) and was ranked the No. 1 destination in Sub-
Saharan Africa (ahead of Mauritius and Senegal)
THE MARKET
The Governments’ proactive policy and regulatory
interventions, combined with support from the World
Bank Group and other development partners, has
resulted in a competitive and vibrant industry.
As in December 2009, the telecommunications sub-
sector had 2 authorized and operational fixed line
operators plus 5 mobile cellular operators. Out of
165 Internet Services Providers (ISPs) authorized,
29 were in operation. The sector also witnessed
13 DTH Satellite Service providers, 176 Data Op-
erators, 99 Public/Corporate Data operators, 140 FM
Stations and 32 TV Stations having authorizations to
operate with 8, 29, 25, 84 and 13 of them respec-
tively actually being in operation. This is illustrated in
the figure below.
and No. 15 globally out of 50 countries by the 2009
A.T. Kearney Global Services Location Index (GSLI).
200
150
100
50
0
National fixed
network
National Mobile
cellular
Direct to Home
(DTH)
Internet Service
Data
VSAT Data
Operators
Public / Cooperate
Data
FM Stations
TV Stations
No. Authorised
No. Operating
Mobile Operators: Market Trends
Ghana has currently 6 mobile operators, 5 of them
being functional: MTN (which has dominant market
share), Vodafone, Tigo, Kasapa and Zain. The sixth
operator, Globacom, is being expected to launch its
operations soon.
The market continues to grow aggressively in all
segments, particularly in the telephony space. The
enabling environment provided by government con-
tinues to promote competition. Over the last five and
8 years respectively, the market uptake has been
growing at a compound average growth rate of
62.3% and 58.3% respectively. Total access lines in
Telecommunications Operators