Sam George Fires Directive At Elon Musk’s Starlink Over Operations In Ghana

• The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, wants Starlink to establish a physical office in Ghana
• George said it was an oversight to grant a licence to Starlink without requiring local residency
• Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service commenced operations in Ghana in August 2024

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has called for Elon Musk’s Starlink to establish a physical office in Accra as a condition for operating in the country.

George said this move would be necessary for regulatory accountability.

The minister told TV3, on April 11, that he was dissatisfied with the current operational model of Starlink, which has no physical presence in Ghana.

“I’ve asked the regulator to inform the company that they need to open an office in Accra. I don’t understand. They need to have an office... You can’t operate in our country and not have presence here.”

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According to him, it was a strategic oversight for the National Communications Authority (NCA) to grant a licence to Starlink without requiring local residency.

He noted that the absence of a local office makes it difficult for the regulator to engage effectively with the company on matters that affect consumers.

“Today, if there’s a problem involving a client of Starlink and the regulator needs to speak with Starlink, we need to send an email to someone sitting somewhere in the US, and it will take them two to three weeks to come down. What kind of regulation is that?”

George further noted that all other telecom operators in Ghana have a local presence, making them accessible for swift consultations.

Strarlink's activities in Ghana

Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service commenced operations in Ghana in August 2024.

In April 2024, the government gave Starlink authorisation to operate in Ghana as Space X Starlink GH LTD.

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This followed Starlink's completion of all administrative and licensing procedures with the authority.

It costs GH¢5,390 to set up the Starlink hardware, while a monthly subscription costs GH¢770.

There is also a service plan for businesses starting at GH¢1,078 per month with a hardware cost of GH¢44,275.

Starlink's technology delivers high-speed, low-latency broadband internet via orbiting satellites.

It uses a constellation of over 5,800 low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet, with some users enjoying download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps. Starlink’s entry is expected to revolutionise internet access in underserved rural communities where traditional infrastructure is limited.

Mahama pledges Starlink Internet for all SHSs

YEN.com.gh reported that the National Democratic Congress is riding on the Starlink satellite internet service for a new education policy.

The now-governing party wants to provide Starlink services to every school to allow access to online tutorials nationwide.

John Mahama outlined this policy during his party's manifesto launch in Winneba in August 2024 en route to an election victory.

Source: YEN.com.gh