According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), over four million Ghanaians do not use the internet, representing approximately 14.8% of the country's population. The GSS released this data as part of its Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) Round 7 report, which is a survey conducted to assess the living standards of Ghanaians.
The report revealed that the Northern Region had the highest percentage of individuals who do not use the internet, with 33.8% of the population not using it. This is followed by the Upper East Region with 30.6%, and the Upper West Region with 28.8%. The Greater Accra Region had the lowest percentage, with 5.7% of the population not using the internet.
The report also revealed that individuals who do not use the internet are more likely to be rural, elderly, and have a low level of education. According to the report, 70.4% of individuals aged 60 and above do not use the internet, while 47.5% of those who have never been to school do not use it.
The GSS report also highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internet usage in Ghana. The report revealed that the pandemic has led to an increase in internet usage, as more individuals are working remotely and using the internet for educational purposes. However, the report also highlighted the digital divide in the country, as individuals who do not use the internet are at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing information, education, and job opportunities.
To bridge the digital divide in Ghana, the government has implemented several initiatives, such as the National Digital Property Addressing System and the National Identification System. These initiatives aim to improve internet connectivity in rural areas and provide individuals with a means to access government services online.
In conclusion, the GSS report reveals that over four million Ghanaians do not use the internet, with the Northern Region having the highest percentage of non-users. The report highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internet usage in Ghana and the need to bridge the digital divide to ensure equal access to information and opportunities for all Ghanaians.
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