Renowned activist and leader of the #FixTheCountry and #OccupyJulorbiHouse movements, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has encouraged Ghanaians who are planning to use or sell Starlink in Ghana to do so.
He gave the advice despite the fact that the operations of Starlink, a satellite internet network, are not licensed in the country.
In a post on X on March 16, when the country began witnessing a disruption in internet connectivity, he wrote, “Just so you are better informed; it is not illegal to sell or use Starlink in Ghana. Don’t let anybody deceive you about the state of the law.”
In December 2023, the ministry issued a warning to the public against purchasing products from Starlink, emphasizing that the company was not licensed to operate in Ghana.
The notice said, “Any entity which provides electronic communication services in Ghana without a Licence or Authorisation from the NCA is in direct violation of Section 3(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2008, Act 775 which states that, ‘Except as otherwise provided under this Act a person shall not operate a public electronic communications service or network or provide a voice telephony service without a licence granted by the Authority”.
Presently, Madam Owusu-Ekuful has assured that the ministry has conducted due diligence and is prepared to grant an operating license to Starlink to enhance internet accessibility.
“A draft framework was subjected to industry consultation and approved by industry. The objective of the framework is to provide increased regulatory oversight for the services, more connectivity solutions or options for consumers, and other measures,” she added.
This move is aimed at tackling internet disruptions in the country.
Briefing Parliament on the issue of internet disruptions on March 18, she said “We have licensed satellite gateway air stations, landing rights, and satellite air station networks. One web has already been licensed. Starlink is in the process of being licensed and other operators are being encouraged to land in Ghana.
“We must also invest in operationalising RASCOM, the Regional African Satellite Company, instead of each country going alone.”