The President of the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA), Michael Nfordzo, has called for swift measures to fortify the country’s digital infrastructure in response to recent internet disruptions. Speaking at the 4th Annual Ghana Internet Conference, sponsored by Telecel Wholesale and themed “Empowering Ghana: Building a Resilient Local Internet Ecosystem for Business Growth and Continuity,” Nfordzo emphasized the critical need for improved infrastructure and regulatory reforms to support Ghana’s expanding digital economy.
Earlier this year, on March 14, 2024, internet outages affected Ghana and several African nations due to faults in undersea telecommunication cables, causing widespread disruptions in internet, data services, and voice over IP (VoIP) communications. Nfordzo pointed out that this incident should act as a wake-up call for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to accelerate efforts in strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure.
“The recent internet disruptions exposed our vulnerability to global infrastructure failures. Thanks to the Ghana Internet Exchange (GIX), we were able to minimize the impact by keeping local internet traffic within the country. However, it’s clear that we must reduce our reliance on international networks to protect against future outages,” Nfordzo stated.
The Ghana Internet Exchange (GIX), operated by GISPA, plays a key role in reducing the cost of internet services and boosting the resilience of local traffic. Despite its success, Nfordzo called for increased collaboration between ISPs, government institutions, and industries to develop a stronger peering network that can better handle future disruptions.
Keynote speaker Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Scientific Director of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab at KNUST, echoed Nfordzo’s sentiment, stressing that a resilient local internet ecosystem is essential for business growth and continuity in Ghana. “Building a robust digital foundation is critical for the economic development of all sectors. Multiple redundancies and fail-safes should be in place to ensure that even if international connections are compromised, local businesses can continue to operate with minimal disruption,” Prof. Kponyo emphasized.
Affordability of internet services also emerged as a key topic during the conference. Stakeholders urged policymakers to prioritize regulations that support both affordable access and the development of robust digital infrastructure. Affordable and reliable internet is the backbone of Ghana’s modern economy, and ensuring widespread access to these services is vital for businesses and individuals alike.
The forum also touched on emerging technologies like Starlink, highlighting the need for such innovations to complement rather than compete with local ISPs to create a sustainable digital environment. The Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) remains committed to advancing the interests of local ISPs and promoting policies that support the growth of reliable, high-quality internet services across the nation.
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