Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, is urging Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, to open a physical office in Accra. According to Mr. George, the company should not be allowed to operate in Ghana without having a local presence.
In a recent interview with TV3, Sam George said it was a mistake to grant Starlink a license to operate in Ghana without requiring them to establish a base in the country.
“I’ve asked the regulator to inform the company that they need to open an office in Accra,” Mr. George stated. “You can’t operate in our country and not have a presence here.”
He explained that having a local office would make it easier to regulate the company and protect Ghanaian consumers. Without a physical presence, communication with Starlink is slow and inefficient.
“If there’s a problem with a customer, we need to send an email to someone sitting in the US. It can take two or three weeks for them to respond. That’s not how proper regulation works,” he added.
Mr. George also criticized the National Communications Authority (NCA) for not insisting on a local office as part of Starlink’s licensing requirements. He believes a local presence would allow for quicker meetings, better customer support, and improved oversight.
“When I need to meet the CEO of any mobile network operator, I can call and have them in my office within the hour. That’s how we protect the interest of Ghanaians,” he said.
Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, was officially launched in Ghana in August 2024 after receiving approval from the NCA. It operates locally under the name SpaceX Starlink GH LTD.
The technology uses over 5,800 low-Earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet, especially in rural and remote areas where regular broadband services are limited. Some users in Ghana have reported download speeds of over 100 Mbps.
Starlink’s entry into Ghana is seen as a major step in bridging the digital divide, but according to Mr. George, proper regulation and accountability must come first.