This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Ghana statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Ghana statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Ghana-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women |
| Indicator |
Indicator 5.b.1: Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex |
| Series |
Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone [5.b.1] Proportion of individuals who use a mobile telephone [5.b.1] |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: The use of mobile phone refers to a person using a mobile phone for variety of purposes whiles not necessarily owning it. A mobile (cellular) telephone refers to a portable telephone subscribing to a public mobile telephone service using cellular technology, which provides access to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Concepts: An individual owns a mobile cellular phone if he/she has a mobile cellular phone device with at least one active SIM card for personal use. Mobile cellular phones supplied by employers that can be used for personal reasons (to make personal calls, access the Internet, etc.) are included. Individuals who have only active SIM card(s) and not a mobile phone device are excluded. Individuals who have a mobile phone for personal use that is not registered under his/her name are also included. An active SIM card is a SIM card that has been used in the last three months. |
| Unit of measure |
Percentage (%) |
| Data sources |
Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) Round 7, 2019 |
| Data providers |
Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) |
| Rationale |
Mobile phone ownership, in particular, is important to track gender equality since the mobile phone is a personal device that, if owned and not just shared, provides women with a degree of independence and autonomy, including for professional purposes. A number of studies have highlighted the link between mobile phone ownership and empowerment, and productivity growth. This indicator highlights the importance of mobile phone ownership to track and to improve gender equality, and monitoring will help design targeted policies to overcome the gender divide. |
| Method of computation |
Number of persons 12 years and older who own a mobile telephone divided by the population 12 years and older, multiplied by 100 |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
This indicator is disaggregated by sex, urban and rural areas. |
| Metadata last updated | Jul 14, 2023 |