Ghana is on an impressive path of towards making internet affordable despite rising prices of data in the sub-region.
This development comes as a boost to the promotion of digital rights in Ghana.
Digital rights are human and legal rights that allow people to access the internet, digital media and electronic devices.
The average cost of 1GB of internet data in the last four years has dropped consistently from nearly $2 in 2018 to $0.66 in 2021.
This is according to Cable UK’s Global broadband pricing league table.
The high cost of internet has been a major barrier to access to the internet for many Ghanaians especially those in rural communities where poverty is pervasive.
At Afiadenyigba in the Volta Region, Yao Anyodoho, a third-year university student sits under a tree in front of his house with his mobile phone following an online session.
His school holds a hybrid class session and so he is able to join the Zoom class online.
“The cost of the internet is okay for me. Previously I would say it is very expensive but now MTN has some bundle products that are cheaper so when I activate it, I can follow my classes for the week before my bundle gets finish,” he said.
Cheaper internet cost is allowing many more pupils in Ghana to access education beyond physical classrooms.
With COVID-19 disrupting teaching and learning across the country, there were fears that the country may not be able to its education targets.
But thanks for affordable internet services, major interventions such as those from Mastercard Foundation and UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service were able to provide quality and equitable learning opportunities for more than nine million children.
With cheaper internet costs complementing the growing internet penetration in the country, Ghana stands a chance of leading the sub-region as its best destination for upholding digital rights.
It already tops the chart in West Africa.
Despite this success, Ghana can still do more for ensure that internet cost do not become a barrier to its citizens’ access to the internet .
Affordable internet will promote digital inclusion and enable Ghana’s youth to access their right to education.