Ghana is changing its tune about Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. Three months ago, they warned people not to use it, but now they’re looking to give it the green light.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) previously said Starlink wasn’t allowed because it didn’t have the right approvals. But now, Ghana is getting ready to grant Starlink a licence.
During a recent meeting at parliament, Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, announced that Starlink will soon be allowed to operate in the country. She also mentioned that other companies are encouraged to offer similar services in Ghana.
This move comes as Africa faces big problems with its internet connections. Recent damage to four major undersea internet cables has caused widespread blackouts in parts of West, Central, and Southern Africa.
Fixing these cables could take weeks, leaving many people without reliable internet. Starlink’s technology, which uses low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, could provide a solution.
While only a few African countries, like Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda, have already approved Starlink, Ghana’s decision could signal a shift in how regulators view this kind of internet service across the continent.
Time will tell if more countries follow suit amidst the ongoing internet blackouts.