So one of the very peculiar problems I've been looking to solve--to no avail is this:

How do you participate in the global economy when you are in Ghana?

Let me give a specific example.

A young web design firm in Accra run by one of my friends is doing good business but they have a fundamental challenge. This is the challenge they have: their clients--mostly mid-sized Ghana-based entities--want to put up business-card websites. You would think that was an easy thing to want but a close look at the steps involved makes it obvious that it isn't so easy.

To get a website up and running you need two things:
a domain name, such as "ghanathink.org", "ashesi.edu.gh" or "nissanghana.com",
and hosting space to store your files that will be shown to people who visit your website.

You typically need annual subscriptions for both services.

Now, both of these services are not sold in Ghana. OK, it's not true--you can buy the .gh domains in Ghana but the prices are not competitive. The last time I checked--April 2006--.gh domain went for $35 a year! Compare that to $10 a year for most .com domains and you'll understand why many Ghanaian websites don't end with .gh.

But back to my point--how does my friend's company purchase these services given that Ghana does not have small-business-friendly ties into the global financial system (think Mastercard, Visa, Paypal, etc)? Well in fact they do manage to purchase these services--through friends who live in the US or UK). In other words, they are completely isolated from the global economy even though their livelihood depends on it. But being tough they schmooze their friends and relatives into doing them small favors. "Register ama.com, esifashions.net, mynewngo.org for me and I'll give your sister the equivalent cost in cedis." This is how they cope.

In contrast, anyone with an American/British bank account can withdraw money--fee free (with the right combination. e.g. if you have a Bank of America account, you can use Barclays ATMs for free)--regardless of where you are as long as you see the "VISA" or "Mastercard" sign over the ATM. In contrast, I cannot withdraw Ghana Commercial Bank cash from an Ecobank ATM or vice versa*. And traveling outside Ghana? Forget it and carry hard cash. No one is coming to your aid if you're small business player.

So the problem restated is this: how can you connect XYZ Web Design Ltd to the VISA/Mastercard/Amex economy so that they can trade in peace? I'm still searching for answers.

*It should be said though that Ecobank has VISA Electron as well as VISA cards that offer some mobility. However, the minimum balance you have to maintain to qualify for such a card is for Kofi Annan maybe, but not for your average Kweku or his corner-store. And that's even before the fact that banking service penetration is abysmally low(ref: ???)