Social Technology

   There was an interesting discussion on ‘Social media and Social Change’ at the Accra international conference center. The goal for social change for this conference was to promote reportage Human Rights abuses with social media. In the trills of this discussions many issues were raised; from mass mobilization of people in effecting dramatic social changes to issues as important as using Social Media to promote personal or social image. As I said it was engaging an exciting. The overall concern for this post, which was also talked about at length on the show, was the cost to pay to be part of that community, “Social Media.” This obviously is the way I see it.

   In a third world country, Ghana, our presence on the internet is rather a marginal one.  But what should be the cost to be a part of that society?

The cost of new Technology is confusingly high for some people most especially me. Both the hardware and software cost, unfortunately, are privileges. Considering that the world is quite anxious to know about Africans from their perspective, the huge laps between the demand for African content on the internet and the present reality is unwarranted.

   Many would find it unnecessary because, their income certainly could cover that non-the less I would make my point. It is increasingly becoming unbearable to pay for a next best technology even after so many commercial have been made on how elegant and effective they are.

   Technology, generally, is changing at a faster pace that even the media is playing ‘catch up’ with this technological advancement. For Africa to catch up with the current technology only to find out that a new and more powerful one is in the market. There is no one to blame for this but the question I ask is; is technology a mirage? 

 My observation about Ghana is that both Hardware and software cost keeps impeding the coverage and inclusion to social media. Coincidentally I mentioned coverage, and I must say the complains on internet connectivity are numerous.

 For instance, some international medial organizations reported that PC prices have fallen, the lowest ever in the history of personal computer sales attributed to the increase in the sales of Tables. This was some few months ago. Amazingly prices of laptops is in Ghana rose form a previous 800 GHC (roughly $400) to an average of 1,300 GHC. A Pentium 4 computer still sells as it was seven years ago. Economics laws hardly apply.

 Again mobile phones is the best alternative for PC with the largest penetration in African. However, smart phones are luxurious artifacts in the hand of those who could afford it. I have been patiently waiting on the prices of galaxy S3 to drop to 200 so I could get one. I must say the wait is long.

Obviously if you are in the capital city, you chances of owning that if high

It creates an event in which people that can afford powerful smart phones under utilize it and those dream of it and wait for its prices to reduce only wish more.

 Software companies want Ghanaians and Africans in general to pay for the software. Great idea however the payment systems available Paypal and others don’t even recognize the region Ghana. May be because of the notoriety of internet fraud. Frankly, it seems a little far-fetched for now. Unfortunately, some social media available request users to pay to enjoy full service (eg twoo.com). Well there is a shocker install for most of these social media. With those that are free, my greatest advice is wait till all Africans get those payment services before you demand us to pay.

Before I conclude I should talk about the head ache of connectivity. Internet bundles are relatively costly. Some affordable ones don’t have extensive coverage. Other are slower that snail mail but hey for now I need internet.

 With all this in play, some see social media as waist of time. Any argument with them would lead them to ask you “how much have you made from social media?”

 The "social technologies" are wonderful and we need to address the challenges that come with them one at a time.