Reflections on the 2024 internet conference and anticipation for 2025

By Thomas S. MORGAN

On September 18, 2024, the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) hosted the 4th Edition of the Ghana Internet Conference at the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, Accra.

The theme, ‘Empowering Ghana: Building a Resilient Local Internet Ecosystem for Business Growth and Continuity’, underscored the nation’s digital aspirations amidst rising competition, technological advancements, and the growing need for internet access across all demographics.

Setting the tone:

The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Collins Yeboah-Afari, Director General of the Centre, followed by remarks from Mr Michael Nfodzo, President of GISPA. Both speakers emphasised the need for collaboration among stakeholders to build a resilient internet infrastructure capable of driving Ghana’s economic growth.

In his keynote address, Professor Jerry John Kponyo explored strategies for strengthening Ghana’s internet infrastructure, noting the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) and investment in emerging technologies, like AI, to sustain long-term growth.

The panel discussion: tackling Ghana’s connectivity challenges

Moderated by Benjamin Owusu-Ansah, the panel featured industry leaders who provided valuable insights into Ghana’s digital landscape:

• George Kuoribo, Head of Cybersecurity Engineering, discussed the significance of developing local content to foster a resilient internet ecosystem. He stressed that local content drives engagement and economic growth within the digital space.
• Abubakar Issaka, President of the Cyber Security Expert Association Ghana (CEAG), emphasised the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures. He urged businesses and ISPs to adopt preventive strategies, such as implementing comprehensive frameworks rather than reactive approaches to safeguard against cyber threats and ensure data privacy and consumer trust.
• Ms Efua A. Dougan of DS Consortium also highlighted the transformative potential of leveraging PPPs to enhance connectivity and develop our internet infrastructure. She noted that an example of a beneficial PPP, in which Ghana is a benefactor, is Africa50’s partnership with Bayobab on the US$320 million Project East2West, which has rolled out 114,000 of 135,000 km terrestrial cable networks, with the aim to improve connectivity across Africa.

Dougan also stressed that local ISPs have a significant opportunity to remain competitive against Starlink by enhancing the value of their services through the introduction of bundled packages that include other digital streaming services like DSTV, Netflix and gaming services — similar to models seen in the UAE — which can significantly enhance customer retention and appeal. Such diversification ensures affordability and inclusivity while providing added value that resonates with diverse consumer needs.

• Derek B. Laryea expanded on Dougan’s remarks, focusing on the practicality and impact of PPPs: “The benefits of PPPs cannot be understated. For example, a consortium of eight partners including Telecel, Meta, and MTN—is laying 45,000 kilometres of submarine cable at a cost of $2.3 billion.

This is not a cost any single entity could bear. By pooling resources, these partnerships drive down costs and ensure effective project implementation. Additionally, the cable’s unique route around the African continent adds redundancy, allowing services to reroute during disruptions, which greatly enhances resilience.”

• Francis Acquah Amaning, President of ISOC Ghana, additionally highlighted the economic challenges in remote areas, noting that residents often spend more on data bundles than on essential needs like food. He advocated for collaborative efforts to make internet access more affordable and equitable.

This dynamic discussion addressed pressing issues such as affordability, redundancy in connectivity, and cybersecurity, providing actionable insights for stakeholders in Ghana’s digital ecosystem.

Recurring themes and concerns

The conference highlighted critical issues shaping Ghana’s internet ecosystem:

1. Affordability vs. Quality: While local ISPs are more affordable, they must address performance gaps to compete effectively with global providers like Starlink.
2. Collaboration for Resilience: In response to a question from the floor about collaboration during fibre cuts, Dougan highlighted the effective partnership amongst stakeholders leveraging the Equinix cloud routing solution system to mitigate disruptions.

She explained how this approach enabled telecom carriers to reroute traffic seamlessly during the subsea cable cuts, ensuring continuity of services. Dougan stressed the importance of stakeholders integrating cloud routing solutions into their redundancy and recovery measures to ensure a resilient internet ecosystem capable of withstanding future disruptions.

1. Data Governance: Ms Dougan also stressed the importance of compliance, noting that local ISPs must establish robust data governance frameworks to meet national and regional standards: “ISPs must take data governance seriously. Internally formulated policies and frameworks are crucial for ensuring compliance with regulations. This will be even more critical as the African Union’s harmonized data protection initiatives gain momentum.”
2. Cybersecurity Preparedness and Capacity Building: Ghana’s recognition as a Tier 1 country in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with a score of 99.27percent, highlights its global leadership in cybersecurity resilience and demonstrates a robust commitment to securing its digital infrastructure. Mr Issaka underscored the importance of building on this achievement through capacity-building initiatives. He called for targeted training programs to equip professionals with the skills needed to address evolving cyber threats.

Anticipation for the 2025 conference

With Starlink’s increasing dominance in the market, especially in underserved areas and the recent launch of 5G in November 2024, this year’s Ghana Internet Conference, which will be the 5th Edition, is expected to build on the themes of resilience, collaboration, and innovation. Key areas of focus will likely include:

• 5G deployment and readiness after its launch and its impact on local ISPs
• Strategies for bridging the affordability and quality gap in internet services
• Enhancing inclusivity through policies that empower underserved communities

Conclusion

The Ghana Internet Conference has become a critical platform for addressing the challenges and opportunities these developments present. It will continue to serve as a beacon for innovation and collaboration in Ghana’s digital transformation journey.

As stakeholders gear up for the 5th edition this year, the focus must align on strategies, fostering partnerships, and addressing critical challenges to create a resilient and inclusive internet ecosystem that benefits all Ghanaians.

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