Device Access in Ghana
Device ownership is an important indicator of technological advancement and accessibility. In today’s digital world, having access to various types of devices has become a necessity for many individuals. This is why it’s important to understand the trend in device ownership rates. In Ghana, the usage of mobile phones is widespread compared to other countries in West Africa(GSMA, 2020). With 55% of the population having adopted mobile technology, Ghana surpasses the average mobile adoption rate of 44.8% in the region (GSMA, 2020). This large number of mobile users presents a significant opportunity for digital services to reach many people anddrive growth in the digital economy.
Device ownership rates in Ghana from 2020 – 2021 according to statista.com were studied among individuals between the ages of 18 and 64. The research provides valuable insights into the trend in device ownership rates and helps determine if there was an increase or decrease in ownership rates between 2020 and 2021.
The research was done on various devices, including mobile phones (any type), smartphones, laptops or desktop computers, tablet devices, games consoles, smartwatches, non-smartphones, smart home devices, and virtual reality devices.
The data reveals that between 2020 and 2021, there was an increase in the ownership rate of mobile phones (any type) and smartphones, with the rate going from 99% to 99.7% and 98.7% to 99.3% respectively. This indicates a growing trend towards mobile phone and smartphone usage among individuals in Ghana.
However, there was a decrease in the ownership rate of some devices such as laptops or desktop computers, tablets, games consoles, smartwatches, and smart home devices.
The ownership rate of laptops or desktop computers dropped from 37.6% in 2020 to 35% in 2021, while the ownership rate of tablets reduced from 11.6% in 2020 to 8.6% in 2021. The ownership rate of games consoles also decreased from 8.8% in 2020 to 4.3% in 2021, and the ownership rate of smartwatches reduced from 7.9% in 2020 to 5% in 2021. Additionally, the ownership rate of
smart home devices dropped from 3.6% in 2020 to 1.9% in 2021.
The data also shows a significant increase in the ownership rate of non-smartphones, going from 5.7% in 2020 to 17.8% in 2021. This indicates that individuals in Ghana are opting for non smartphone devices, possibly due to their affordability and ease of use.
The ownership rate of virtual reality devices decreased from 2.3% in 2020 to 1.3% in 2021,indicating that virtual reality technology is still not widely adopted in Ghana.
The data shows that there was an overall increase in device ownership rates in Ghana, particularly with regards to mobile phones and smartphones, while there was a decrease in the ownership rate of some devices such as laptops, tablets, and games consoles. These insights provide a clear picture of the trend in device ownership rates in Ghana and can help inform future investments and initiatives aimed at increasing device ownership and accessibility.
Her are some important STATS from the “Nationwide survey on ICT access, usage, skills and digital divide in Ghana” by the National Communications Authority (NCA) in collaboration with the Ghana
Statistical Service (GSS) in an effort to meet the increasing data needs on Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) indicators from all stakeholders, both
domestic and global. The full report can be found here
