Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has called on Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, to establish a physical office in Accra as a condition for continuing operations in Ghana.
Despite receiving regulatory approval to offer internet services in the country, Starlink currently lacks a local presence—an issue Mr. George says undermines effective oversight and consumer protection.
Speaking in an interview with TV3, he stated, “I’ve asked the regulator to inform the company that they need to open an office in Accra. You can’t operate in our country and not have a presence here.”
He criticized the National Communications Authority (NCA) for what he described as a strategic oversight in granting Starlink a license without requiring a local base. He noted that without an office, regulators must rely on overseas communication, which causes unnecessary delays.
“If there’s a problem with a Starlink client, we have to email someone in the U.S., and it could take two to three weeks for a response. What kind of regulation is that?” he questioned.
Mr. George stressed that having a local office would ensure swift consultations and better protection for Ghanaian consumers.
“When I need to meet the CEO of any MNO, I can call, and in an hour, he’s sitting in my office or at the office of the regulator for me to protect the interest of the Ghanaian people,” he argued.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet services in various countries, including some parts of Africa.
Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, received approval from the NCA to operate in Ghana and was officially launched in August 2024. The service is managed locally by SpaceX Starlink GH LTD.
The technology 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.
