Report By: Ishmael Barfi
Accra, Oct. 8, 2026— Educationist, mathematics teacher and researcher Francis A. K. Baccah has urged the Government of Ghana to move beyond discussions over a proposed GH₵7 data allowance for teachers and develop a broader national programme to provide affordable and reliable internet access for educators.
In an open letter to the government, Mr. Baccah questioned whether the reported GH₵7 proposal would adequately meet the growing digital demands placed on teachers.
He said teachers increasingly rely on the internet for lesson preparation, research, professional development, communication, online meetings, assessment and continuous learning.
“Is a GH₵7 data allowance an adequate response to the digital needs of the modern Ghanaian teacher?” he asked, arguing that the amount would not adequately address the actual cost of teachers’ digital activities.
According to him, the issue should not become simply a negotiation over the value of an allowance but should trigger a broader conversation about how Ghana can provide sustainable digital connectivity for education.
A national connectivity programme
Mr. Baccah proposed the establishment of a National Education and Research Connectivity Programme through which government could negotiate special data packages with telecommunications companies for teachers, schools and research institutions.
He suggested that teachers could receive a negotiated monthly data package, while schools and research institutions could benefit from institutional connectivity arrangements suited to their needs.
He said the arrangement could operate as a long-term Government–Telecom Education Partnership, allowing telecommunications companies to gain access to a large and stable user base while supporting teachers, students and researchers with affordable connectivity.
“This would be a more sustainable solution than repeatedly debating whether teachers should receive GH₵7,” he argued.
Telcos as strategic partners
Mr. Baccah called for major telecommunications operators, including MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and other industry players, to be brought into Ghana’s education transformation agenda.
He proposed that government establish a structured framework under which telecom companies could provide affordable or subsidised connectivity to basic schools, senior high schools, TVET institutions, colleges of education, universities, research institutions, teachers and other education professionals.
He argued that such support should not be viewed merely as corporate charity but as a strategic investment in human capital development.
The proposal comes amid growing demands for digital skills, online learning, research and technology-based education.
Mr. Baccah said Ghana needed to approach internet access as an essential component of modern education rather than treating it simply as an additional benefit.
Beyond an allowance
He said a national connectivity strategy would also provide an opportunity to address the wider digital needs of the education sector, including reliable school internet, affordable research access and digital resources for teachers and students.
“The real challenge is the cost and availability of digital infrastructure for teaching, learning, research and innovation,” he said.
He urged government to consider a long-term framework that connects teachers, schools, students and research institutions while creating structured partnerships with telecommunications companies.
For Mr. Bacca, the debate over the proposed GH₵7 allowance should therefore serve as the starting point for a larger national conversation about how Ghana can build an affordable and sustainable digital education system.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com