The Ministry of Education has issued a response to a recent report by The Fourth Estate, which alleged that the ministry paid GH¢56 million to internet service provider Lifted Logistics Limited (formerly Busy Internet) despite failing to provide reliable internet services to numerous schools across the country.
The report highlighted that many schools under the government’s Wi-Fi for Schools Programme had experienced extended periods without internet connectivity, despite the government having paid for the service. Even in schools with internet connections, the service was often slow, forcing them to rely on alternative providers.
The Ministry of Education acknowledged that while a recurring monthly cost was approved for the programme, the contract includes a review clause that allows for adjustments due to inflation and foreign exchange rates. In 2023, the monthly recurring cost was capped at GH₵11,522,661.81.
According to the ministry, “the contract provides that the supplier shall be compensated on a pro-rata basis… Any downtime up to and exceeding half of a particular month will not be paid for.” This means that the ministry only pays for accessible dedicated internet, and any service downtime exceeding 50% of a month is not paid for.
The ministry has implemented various monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely detection and resolution of connectivity issues, including reporting lines from ICT coordinators in schools, Wi-Fi monitoring tools, and a Network Operating Room. A committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, National Communications Authority, and National Council for Curriculum and Assessment vets all invoices and certifies them before payment is made to Lifted Logistics Limited.
The ministry is considering terminating aspects of the contract in schools experiencing satellite connectivity challenges, which have been attributed to Lifted Logistics’ failure to pay its providers.
“The situation had been attributed to the failure of Lifted Logistics’ Limited (formerly Busy Internet) to pay its providers,” the ministry stated.
