There is a possibility of a breath of fresh air in Ghana’s internet service provision space after Canal+ announced plans to roll out fibre broadband in the country, but an economist says Ghanaians and policymakers must move beyond the excitement.
The competition economist and the West African Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, says the announcement is welcoming and excitement is justified; however, it should not end there.
The move, hailed by many, including the sector minister, Samuel Nartey George, is considered a potential game-changer, could mean faster speeds and more choices.
But according to the competition economist, this good news should come with a dose of caution and critical questions.
He argues that while competition sounds great, the real question is whether it will translate into better value for consumers and fair play in the market. He believes that Competition is not a one-time event. It’s a continuous process.
Here are seven critical questions he says both consumers and regulators must ask before celebrating.
Will My Internet Bill Drop?
The arrival of a new internet provider usually brings hope for cheaper services, but that’s not guaranteed. Ghana’s internet prices have historically stayed high despite multiple players. The key question is whether Canal+’s entry will push prices down or whether existing providers will quietly adjust their strategies to keep rates stable.
Will My Service Be More Reliable?
Many Ghanaians know the frustration of buffering videos and dropped Zoom calls. So, it’s not just about the cost, speed and reliability are critical. Consumers should watch whether Canal+ offers consistent connectivity that reaches beyond urban centres into underserved communities.
Will I Be Free to Switch Providers Without Penalties?
In Ghana, switching from one provider to another can sometimes mean losing money or facing penalties. Adomako challenges policymakers to ensure that consumers can freely move to better services without being tied down by hidden exit fees or restrictive contracts.
Will the Rollout Reach My Community Soon – or in Three Years?
Promises of nationwide access often sound good at launch but take years to materialize. The question, Adomako insists, is how soon Canal+ will extend its fibre network to rural and peri-urban communities that have been left behind in the digital race.
Does Canal+ Have the Capacity and Incentive to Expand?
For competition to work, new entrants must have both the resources and the motivation to challenge existing giants. Policymakers, Adomako said, should probe Canal+’s long-term plans and investment commitments to ensure it’s not just a marketing move but a real market expansion.
Can the Big Players Still Stifle Competition?
Ghana’s telecom and broadband market has seen cases where dominant players control access to infrastructure, pricing, or content, making it hard for smaller firms to thrive. Regulators must ensure incumbents don’t use their power to frustrate new entrants through subtle anti-competitive tactics.
Do We Have Strong Enough Competition Laws?
Lawyer Adomako believes the country must strengthen its competition regime to deal with unfair market behavior like predatory pricing, abuse of dominance, and refusal to collaborate with competitors.
“This is where we need competition laws that truly protect the consumer,” he said.
The Bottomline
For the consumer protection advocate, while the Canal+ announcement brings excitement, he believes Ghanaians and policymakers should not just celebrate but must scrutinize.
Ghana’s broadband future will depend not on promises, but on how well regulators and consumers demand fairness, transparency, and real benefits.
He maintains that competition is not an event, it’s a process that must work every day for the ordinary Ghanaian.
