6.6m Ghanaians are on social media, says new report
According to a recent report by Data Reportal, social media and internet usage in Ghana continue to experience steady growth, with approximately 6.60 million social media users in the country as of January 2023. This represents a significant percentage of the population, with social media users accounting for about 19.5% of the total population of approximately 30 million.
Internet usage in Ghana is also on the rise, with the country boasting 23.05 million internet users at the start of 2023, representing a 68.2% internet penetration rate. The report further reveals that there were a total of 43.88 million cellular mobile connections active in Ghana in early 2023.
However, despite the growth in social media and internet usage, the report shows that Facebook, which had been the dominant social media platform in Ghana, experienced a decline of 1.4 million users, representing a 19.9% decrease between 2022 and 2023. WhatsApp, on the other hand, remains the most popular social media platform in the country, with approximately 5.65 million users, followed by Facebook with 5.2 million users.
Interestingly, Instagram has gained significant popularity among Ghanaians, with approximately 1.70 million users in the country in early 2023. This represents a shift towards visual content, indicating that users are increasingly interested in consuming and sharing visual media. In addition, the report reveals that most Ghanaians consider WhatsApp and Instagram their favorite social media apps.
Moreover, Ghanaian users spend most of their time on TikTok and YouTube, with an average of 23.5 hours/month and 23.1 hours/month respectively. This points to the growing demand for video content in Ghana and highlights an opportunity for businesses and content creators to engage with users on these platforms.
However, the report also indicates a worrying trend in the top websites visited by Ghanaians. Most of the websites are related to betting and adult content, raising concerns about the potential negative impact of excessive and unregulated internet usage, particularly among young people.
While the state of social media and internet usage in Ghana for 2023 shows potential for growth and opportunities for businesses and content creators to reach a wider audience through social media platforms, it is also important to consider the potential risks and negative effects of unregulated internet use. Therefore, education and awareness on responsible internet use are crucial to mitigate potential harm while ensuring that users can benefit fully from the opportunities offered by social media and the internet.
