The Use of Mobile Phones among Undergraduate Students-a Case in Ghana

Abstract

The response to the development and growth of mobile phones in Africa has introduced new ideas in education, business, health, and banking needs of a country. Ghana has become a great place for mobile technology implementation to thrive as there are enough users to support the relevant technologies. In fact, the latest industry statistics released by the National Communications Authority state that, out of a population of 24.97 million, there are approximately 24.4 million subscribers on at least one of the five active mobile networks in the country. The objective of the study is to review the level of usage of the mobile phone by college students in both the private and public institutions in Ghana. The study looked at what the average student's level of usage of the mobile phone on a daily basis and the frequency of usage for the following activities; education-related research, personal finance, religious activities, making and receiving calls, current events. work related research, playing games watching movies, listening to music and social networking. The research revealed that 20.0% of the respondent always listening to music on their mobile phones, playing games 7.9%, watching movie 2.0%, social networking 46.5% , work-related research 12.9%, educational related research 17.8%, religious programmes 3.2%, personal finance 15.0%, current events 3.2% and making and receiving calls 65.0%. The research also looked at the duration of usage by the students at school, home and at the work place. When it comes to using the mobile phone at home 32.0% said they spent 7 hours or more on their mobile phone at home, 9.9% spent 7 hours or more at school and 3.5% spend the same hours or more at the office.