1.

ABSTRACT

Similar to the experience in other developing countries, the Ghanaian telecommunication sector since privatization and liberalization is expanding fast and continues to grow rapidly. Nevertheless, the distribution of both fixed lines and mobile phone infrastructure is still concentrated in the major economic centers of the country, whereas rural areas lack telecommunication infrastructure. 2.0 INTRODUCTION

Besides showing these disparities, this research tests an analytical framework that may be used to assess the impact of telecommunication use at the community level and at the household level. This research is based on the notion that the space-bridging and time-bridging character of telecommunication services will lead to a decline in transaction costs and enable households in rural areas to enhance their economic participation. This research will make it known as to how households in rural areas might be able to reduce the transaction costs of obtaining information for economic decision-making, example on factor markets or marketing issues. This may enable them to reduce their travel expenses, on the one hand, and save time costs, on the other. The question of economic impact of access on households in rural areas could be answered by trying to verify the following hypotheses:

Access to and use of telecommunication services can substitute for physical travelling and other forms of information exchange. It therefore may lower transaction costs for information and increase the frequency and velocity of obtaining information. The use of telecommunication services can enlarge the reach of households and optimize their participation in markets (E.g. product markets, factor markets) through efficient exchange of information beyond the traditional means. On the basis of these improvements, the households that use telecommunication services might be able to achieve more income in monetary terms than those households that do not use the services.

3.0

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Based on the framework above, a pilot survey on telecommunications access and usage will be conducted and the objective will be to assess whether it would be applicable within a bigger survey. To do so, two questionnaires one for community-related information and one for household date will be designed and pretested. In conducting the pilot survey it would be necessary to find a survey location that could be considered rural. With respect to the study or survey, the target location was restricted to one of the towns in the capital of Birim South in Eastern Region (Ghana) that: function as the service centers for their respective rural hinterlands; are located within the catchment area of the major Ghanaian centers;

base their economic activities predominantly on production, processing and trade of agricultural goods Are connected to a telecommunications network. Considering the combination of these criteria, the township of Akyem Oda being the capital of
Birim South District of Eastern Region (Ghana) was chosen. Oda, a town of about 30,000

inhabitants is the most important marketplace within the predominantly town setting of the district. The research will be conducted based on two categories; To find out the impact of telecommunication at the community level and also find out the uses and access at that level To find out the impact of telecommunication at the household level and its uses and access

3.1

Community Level Findings

At the community level, we intend carrying out a group interview with officials at the district assembly in order to obtain information about the benefits of telecommunications services in the community as well as existing access problems.

3.2

Household Level Findings

At this level, we intend basing our research on interviews and questionnaires to obtain household data on telecommunication. The research will also find out the use of communications centers and public phone Booths and compare the two and we wish to find

out the impact and importance, benefits and obstacles to the use of telecommunication services in the Oda Township.

4.0

METHODOLOGY

Participants of this research would include people who work in the field of telecommunication for example IT managers, personnel, students and the general public. Working class participants would be selected based on their impact on telecommunication development in the country; however, students and the general public would be selected at random to sample their views on how we can develop telecommunication. Expected responses would be a systematic way of achieving the goal of developing telecommunication services in every part of the country and to improve the performance of the existing telecommunications companies in the country to provide better services.

5.0

DATA ANALYSIS

Data will be collected from both primary and secondary sources. 5.1 Primary Source

Questionnaires and Interviews will be used for the research. 5.2 Secondary Sources

Existing literatures on the use of telecommunication would be reviewed to gather the necessary data required for the research work. Data from other research works, writings of some authors who have in depth knowledge in the field of telecommunication would be reviewed and other experienced telecommunication worker would also be contacted as well as research and information from the internet. 5.3 Data collection procedure

The data collection procedure will include questionnaires and interviews.

6.0

PROJECT PLAN

The project is supposed to come into completion by May, 2011 to enable us to submit the final report to the Faculty.

OUTLINE OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1.0 2.0 3.0 ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 3.2
4.0

Community Level Findings Household Level Findings

METHODOLOGY

5.0

DATA ANALYSIS 5.1

5.2 5.3 Primary Source Secondary Source Data Collection Procedure

6.0

PROJECT PLAN

FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

FINAL PROJECT PROPOSAL

BY: APPIAH-BONNA EMMANUEL T. KWAKYE GODFRED KUMI 10126717 10126445

TOPIC:
TELECOMMUNICATION USE IN GHANA (CASE STUDY ON THE USE OF TELECOMMUNICATION IN ODA TOWNSHIP)