Ghana has taken a promising step toward making internet access more affordable and inclusive. With the recent announcement of increased mobile data bundle volumes offered at a marginal extra cost by the country’s major telecom providers, Ghanaian citizens now have a unique opportunity to unlock the full potential of the digital age.
But this shift is not just about consuming more data; it is about opening doors to self-improvement, innovation, and economic growth. It is a chance to empower our youth, elevate our artisans, and set the nation on a sustainable path toward digital transformation. This opportunity, however, will only bear fruit if it is matched with deliberate policy, education, and investment.
A Timely and Transformative Policy Shift
Under the direction of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, and in collaboration with telecom giants MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo, Ghanaians will now enjoy between 10% and 15% more data volume per bundle, with minimal price adjustment. This move aims to address affordability concerns, enable digital inclusion for underserved communities, and significantly ease the burden of high data costs on working-class citizens.
The initiative also aligns with broader national goals, including the 24-hour economy agenda, which encourages flexible work schedules and round-the-clock productivity. For this policy to create a lasting impact, however, it must be supported by programs that translate connectivity into opportunity, especially in education, entrepreneurship, and skills training.
A Nation Learning Around the Clock
Lower data prices translate into broader data access. Now is the time to reimagine how learning can be transformed across Ghana. Online platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, edX, and Khan Academy host world-class educational content accessible to anyone with an internet connection. These platforms offer courses in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, design, finance, and other areas vital for 21st-century advancement.
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, should develop strategic partnerships with telecom operators and online learning providers to offer free or subsidised access to verified online courses. Imagine a senior high school student in Wa learning Python or mobile app development after school hours, or a university graduate in Takoradi enhancing his skills in digital marketing or data science, without the pressure of high internet costs.
In alignment with the 24-hour economic vision, such programs should also accommodate late-night and weekend learning for adult learners and part-time students. Education must not end at 3 p.m.
Empowering Ghana’s Artisans
While attention often centres on students and professionals, Ghana’s informal sector, comprising tailors, electricians, masons, mechanics, barbers, and traders, is one of the most vital yet underserved communities in the digital economy. These artisans, who form the backbone of the local economy, are increasingly using mobile devices and social media to engage clients and market their services.
To harness this momentum, the government, through the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) and its ecosystem partners, should launch a 24-Hour Mobile App Initiative. This program would provide every registered artisanal business with a free or highly subsidised mobile application. The app could include features such as appointment scheduling, mobile payments, customer feedback, and service tracking.
Imagine a mechanic in Kumasi’s Suame Magazine receiving a custom app after registering his business. Clients could book services online, pay in advance, and receive notifications upon completion. This would not only enhance transparency and customer service but also formalise and modernise informal businesses. To further support this, NITA can collaborate with internet providers to offer dedicated data bundles tailored to the needs of artisans, many of whom work beyond conventional hours.
Training Tomorrow’s Developers
This expansion in digital infrastructure must also generate employment. The government’s Coding for Youth initiative should be expanded and integrated into this strategy by training young Ghanaians to become mobile app developers. These developers could then be deployed to every district across the country to serve as digital support officers, helping artisans onboard customise their apps and access technical support.
This model would not only reduce the tech barrier for artisans but also provide meaningful jobs to ICT-trained youth. Over time, it could evolve into a district-level digital inclusion framework, empowering young people to become drivers of local transformation through technology.
The Future is Collaborative
If implemented effectively, this multi-pronged approach will build a self-reinforcing digital ecosystem:
- Students accessing education without data limitations
- Artisans managing businesses digitally and efficiently
- Youth professionals sustaining and advancing the technology that drives it all
But this vision cannot be fulfilled by the government alone. Stakeholders from the private sector, academia, civil society, and international development organisations must all play a role. The success of this initiative hinges on partnership, coordination, and a shared vision of digital inclusion that ensures no Ghanaian is left behind.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Areas
While the reduced cost of data bundles presents opportunities for urban centres, rural and underserved regions remain at risk of exclusion if deliberate interventions are not made. In many rural parts of Ghana, challenges such as weak signal coverage, limited broadband infrastructure, and low digital literacy continue to hinder meaningful digital participation.
To truly bridge the digital divide, stakeholders must prioritise the extension of reliable internet infrastructure to these areas. The government, through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), could work with telecom providers to deploy community-based broadband centers, low-cost satellite internet, or Wi-Fi kiosks in schools, health centres, and market spaces.
Additionally, special data packages or zero-rated access to key educational and productivity platforms should be offered to rural learners and businesses. When connectivity is equitable, rural youth can access the same Python course as a student in Accra, and a farmer in Bimbilla can promote his products online just like a shop owner in Kumasi. Digital inclusion must not stop at regional capitals; it must reach every village and community.
Cybersecurity Awareness for the Digitally Empowered
With more people connected and using mobile apps, cybersecurity becomes not just a technical issue, but a public safety priority. As artisans, students, and entrepreneurs increase their online activity, they also become more vulnerable to mobile fraud, phishing scams, data breaches, and fake app downloads.
To mitigate these risks, the government, through NITA, the Cyber Security Authority, and key telecom operators, should roll out targeted cybersecurity awareness campaigns. These campaigns must be adapted to local languages and contexts, that is, using community radio, WhatsApp groups, and street signage to spread key messages.
Additionally, all government-supported mobile apps for artisans should come with built-in security protocols such as multi-factor authentication, secure payment gateways, and clear user permissions. Training must also be provided for youth developers working in the Coding for Youth initiative to help them incorporate best practices in app development and data protection. Without cybersecurity, digital empowerment becomes a potential liability. The more people we connect, the more we must protect.
Monitoring and Measuring Impact
For Ghana to realise the full promise of this expanded data bundle policy, transparent measurement of outcomes is essential. This initiative should not remain a feel-good policy announcement; it must translate into tangible improvements in education, income generation, and digital skills acquisition.
To that end, the Ministry of Communications, in partnership with NITA and civil society organisations, should develop a Digital Impact Scorecard to monitor the effectiveness of the initiative. This dashboard could track:
- The number of students accessing online courses
- The number of artisans registered and using mobile apps
- Jobs created through youth tech training
- Customer satisfaction and revenue increase among informal businesses
This scorecard should be made public annually to inform stakeholders, shape future policies, and encourage private sector collaboration. Academic institutions can also be commissioned to conduct independent impact assessments, helping policymakers understand what works, what doesn’t, and how best to scale solutions across districts. Accountability and data-driven planning will ensure this initiative becomes more than a moment, but rather a sustainable movement.
Let’s Seize the Moment
The decision to expand data bundles for minimal cost increase is more than a pricing revision; it is an invitation to innovate. It is a call for Ghanaians to learn faster, build smarter, and work better. It challenges policymakers to reimagine education, employment, and entrepreneurship through a digital lens. And it presents an open door for students, artisans, and professionals to create a more empowered, connected future.
We stand ready to support this initiative, offer technical insight, and contribute to Ghana’s long-term digital growth strategy. By leveraging the power of data accessibility, we can build a nation where opportunity is no longer limited by time, geography, or connectivity.
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The writer, Dr Owusu Nyarko-Boateng, is a Digital Transformation Specialist in the USA. He can be contacted via email at gr8owusu222@gmail.com
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
