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ICTs and Media Companies
operation as in December 2009 was 15,376,305 with
almost 99% being due to mobile telephony. The mo-
bile penetration rate increased from 52.6% in 2008
to 63.6% by July 2009. This represents about 11 per
cent growth.
Internet Usage
Over the last decade, internet usage has greatly
increased in Ghana. Together with the mobile cellular
market, the internet market in Ghana presents an
important potential for growth and development. As
a critical source of information, the internet is viewed
as a significant development enabler.
In 2000, Ghana had an estimated number of 30000
internet users. This increased over the years
reaching 609800 in 2006. By June 2009, Ghana had
nearly eight times as many internet users as it did in
2000 with the number of 997,000 internet users. The
upward trend is shown below.
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Total Users (000s)
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
(Jun)
Total Users (000s)
SECTORIAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. National Fibre Communications
Backbone Infrastructure
Following the successful completion of the southern
loop, the 2
nd
phase of the National Fibre Communi-
cation Backbone, aimed at providing open access
broadband connectivity, is being developed from Ta-
male to the northern parts of the country and neigh-
bouring countries.
2. Promotion of Competitive Telecom Market
The National Communications Authority (NCA) en-
courages the private telecom service providers to
further plan their infrastructure deployment and in-
vest in a strategic manner and also improve access
and quality of service.
3. The e-Ghana Project
Under the e-Ghana project, the Ministry of Commu-
nications (MOC) has developed investment promo-
tion and support mechanisms to attract and retain
investors in Information Communication Technology
(ICT) and ITES businesses.
4. Ghana Investment Fund for Telecommunica-
tions (GIFTEL)
GIFTEL has been set up to facilitate the extension
of communications services to underserved and
un-served areas through the provision of common
facilities.
5. Government Assisted PC Programme (GAPP)
Government is working at the GAPP under the iAd-
vance Computer4All Project which aims at increas-
ing the acquisition and use of personal computers at
affordable prices in Ghana.
6. ICT Business Incubators
The Ghana Multimedia Centre (GMIC) has also sup-
ported the establishment of business start-ups to
support and nurture entrepreneurial development in
ICT.
7. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
Internet Users