The findings were striking. In almost every case, the IP address detected by standard geolocation tools pointed to Accra, regardless of where the device actually was. A laptop in Keta showed Accra. A phone in Kumasi showed Accra. A test in Dormaa pointed to Accra as well. Even in Takoradi, where we accessed an AWS resource, the AWS CloudTrail logs flagged the source IP as Keta. There was no indication that the connection actually originated from Takoradi. None of the connections dynamically updated to reflect physical movement between regions.
This pattern confirms a structural problem with how internet service providers in Ghana assign and register IP addresses. Most ISPs register their IP blocks centrally in Accra and route all traffic through a few major hubs. They also rarely update their information in the global IP geolocation databases that websites, cloud platforms, and security systems rely on. The result is a static system that misrepresents where users actually are.
This has serious national security implications. IP geolocation is one of the basic tools used in cybercrime investigations, fraud detection, and national monitoring. If someone carries out an online fraud operation in Agona Swedru or Kumasi Central Prisons but the IP address is logged as Accra, security agencies may lose critical time pursuing leads in the wrong city. It allows criminals to blend in digitally, making regional tracking and timely responses more difficult. In an era where cyber threats are growing, this is a dangerous blind spot.
It also affects private businesses in very practical ways. Banks, fintech companies, logistics platforms, and e-commerce businesses rely on accurate location data to make decisions, flag suspicious activity, and respond quickly to fraud. For example, when someone’s banking app or Facebook account is taken over by an attacker, the location of the IP is one of the key signals banks use to block suspicious logins or alert the customer. If the IP always says Accra, even when the attack is happening in another region, it weakens the bank’s ability to detect and block the intrusion in real time.
This affects data-driven businesses too. Companies use IP location data to understand where their customers are, tailor services, plan distribution, and allocate marketing budgets. If hundreds of users across the country all show up as “Accra,” it distorts regional analytics and can lead to poor business decisions. For example, a company may think it has no active users in Volta because the IP data says Accra, when in reality, they have users who are very active in Ho, Hohoe or Keta.
The fix is not complicated. ISPs can allocate IP ranges regionally and update location databases regularly so that IP addresses reflect real geographic areas. In many other countries, when you travel from one city to another, your IP changes to match your new location almost immediately. This improves the accuracy of digital services, strengthens fraud detection, and helps law enforcement do their work more effectively. The National Communications Authority also has a role to play by setting standards and enforcing them.
Our small study may not be nationwide (as we didn’t cover all regions), but it clearly exposes a gap that affects national security, private business intelligence, and everyday digital safety. Accurate geolocation isn’t a luxury; it’s a basic requirement for a modern digital economy. If Ghana is serious about building a secure and intelligent digital environment, this is one of the foundational issues we need to fix.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I’m Jay, a proud fisherman from Woe and a personable citizen of Ghana!!
Jay Kwashie
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