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Mobile phones are extremely popular in Ghana and the coverage is quite good. Cell phones are easy to purchase, and setting up a SIM card and airtime is even easier.

Providers

Major providers in Ghana are listed below, in order of popularity.

• MTN Ghana
• Vodafone Ghana
• Tigo
• Airtel
• Expresso Telecom

Pay As You Go

Most people do not buy cell phone contracts. Rather, they opt for the pay as you go system. Airtime vendors for all major carriers can be found virtually anywhere. You can purchase airtime for a wide range of prices, and you then load the time onto your phone directly. This is definitely the cheapest option, but it does require you to purchase airtime credit regularly.

Loading airtime on your phone will give you access to both calls and internet data.

Contracts

Contracts can be established easily with local providers. Often, it just requires a short visit to a retail shop. Some packages include preferable rates for long distance phone calls and higher internet usage.

There are some basic points you need to consider for choosing the right deal.

• Personal Use: Evaluate how much you use the phone, when, where you are calling, how often you use short message services (SMS), if you use the phone abroad, etc.
• Coverage: Most important if you live in a remote place or regularly using the mobile while traveling in the countryside as most companies offer decent coverage.
• Fees & Rates: Each operator offers several different plans and options. Investigate the plans carefully and evaluate your needs.