Minding the digital gap: Investigating the digital divides amplified by COVID-19 among undergraduate students in Ghana

Authors

  • Eva Kuupuolo Department of Communication , University of Media, Arts and Communication image/svg+xml Author
  • Andy Ofori-Birikorang School of Communication and Media Studies, University of Education, Winneba Author
  • Lawrencia Agyepong University of Media, Arts and Communication image/svg+xml Author
  • Noel Nutsugah University of Media, Arts and Communication image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63772/jocmas.v11n1.1

Keywords:

digital divide, COVID-19, ICT4D, HEIs, social inequality, technology acceptance, E-learning in Ghana

Abstract

Digital divide, a form of technological inequality, continues to put students in developing economies at a socioeconomic and learning disadvantage. This paper examines the forms of digital divide faced by undergraduate students in Ghana during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper also investigates the strategies deployed by the students in mitigating the forms of digital divide they encountered. This study was underpinned by the qualitative research paradigm, employing a case study as the research design. Triangulated data was collected through interviews and focus group discussions that involved 25 research participants who were undergraduate students at selected universities in Ghana. The paper found that access, financial, and motivation divides were some of the dominant forms of digital divide faced by undergraduate students in Ghana. To cope with the divides that emerged, the findings show that some of the students adopted information-seeking behaviours and a resource-saving culture. This study has made key findings that should help the formulation and implementation of digital policies in higher education institutions, especially in developing economies. The study provides recommendations to managers of higher education institutions, governments, and telecommunication companies on how to come up with strategies to help mitigate the digital divide. 

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Author Biographies

  • Eva Kuupuolo, Department of Communication, University of Media, Arts and Communication

    Ms Eva KUUPUOLO is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Communication at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), with special research interests in Mobilisation for Social Change, Development Communication, and Environmental Sustainability.

    Eva has over seven (7) years of experience in the practice of journalism in Ghana, having gathered and written news for several news websites, including the Ghana News Agency.

     

  • Andy Ofori-Birikorang, School of Communication and Media Studies, University of Education, Winneba

    Prof Andy OFORI-BIRIKORANG (PhD) is a professor of Media and Communication at the School of  Communication and Media Studies, University of Education, Winneba. Until he was appointed the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages Education and Communication at the same university. Andy has served on several high-ranking Boards and Committees, including the Academic Board, the Appointments and Promotions Board, the Graduate Board, the Strategic Plan Development Committee, and the Strategic Plan and Monitoring Committee. His research interests are in Development Communication, New Media Technologies, Framing Analysis, Gender and Media, and Media Theories.

  • Lawrencia Agyepong, University of Media, Arts and Communication

    Dr Lawrencia AGYEPONG is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Media, Arts and Communication. Lawrencia has over 15 years of experience in Media and Communication, Political Communication, Development Communication, Gender and Cultural studies. Her research interests include all aspects of political communication, development and gender studies, celebrity and fandom studies, and media and cultural studies. Lawrencia holds a PhD and an MSc in Media and Communication from the University of Leicester, UK.

  • Noel Nutsugah, University of Media, Arts and Communication

    Senior Lecturer, University of Media, Arts and Communication, Ghana

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Published

30-09-2026

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Eva Kuupuolo, Andy Ofori-Birikorang, Lawrencia Agyepong, Noel Nutsugah (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Kuupuolo, E. et al. (2026) “Minding the digital gap: Investigating the digital divides amplified by COVID-19 among undergraduate students in Ghana”, Journal of Communications, Media and Society (JOCMAS) ISSN: 3134-5484, 11(1), pp. 1–23. doi:10.63772/jocmas.v11n1.1.

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