Article
The reign of the mobile phone continues to grow in Sub Saharan Africa. According to the GSM Association, only 10% of the population had network coverage in 1999 whereas now 65% are covered and this is set to increase to 85% by 2010. An example of one of the initiatives that will promote the use of phones and enhance the economy is a software company TradeNet which is based in Accra. The scheme will enable buyers and sellers of agricultural products across West Africa to receive business information via text message so that sales can take place over the phone. However, whilst I appreciate and encourage the economic and social benefits of this piece of technology I ask one question: Have mobile phones become part of Ghanaian culture?