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. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

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

References

Abrams, E.M. and Szefler, S.J. (2020). COVID-19 and the impact of social determinants of health. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, [online] 8(7). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(20)30234-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30234-4

Adhikari, J., Mathrani, A. and Scogings, C. (2016). Bring Your Own Devices classroom. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 13(4), pp.323–343. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/itse-04-2016-0007. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-04-2016-0007

Aissaoui, N. (2021). The digital divide: a literature review and some directions for future research in light of COVID-19. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 71(8/9), pp.686–708. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/gkmc-06-2020-0075. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-06-2020-0075

Armenta, A., Serrano, A., Cabrera, M. and Conte, R. (2012). The new digital divide: the confluence of broadband penetration, sustainable development, technology adoption and community participation. Information Technology for Development, 18(4), pp.345–353. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2011.625925. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2011.625925

Arora, S., Chaudhary, P. and Singh, R.K. (2021). Impact of coronavirus and online exam anxiety on self-efficacy: the moderating role of coping strategy. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 18(3), pp.475–492. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/itse-08-2020-0158. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-08-2020-0158

Attewell, P. (2001). Comment: The First and Second Digital Divides. Sociology of Education, 74(3), p.252. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/2673277. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2673277

Ayanso, A., Cho, D.I. and Lertwachara, K. (2010). The digital divide: global and regional ICT leaders and followers. Information Technology for Development, 16(4), pp.304–319. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2010.504698. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2010.504698

Ayanso, A., Cho, D.I. and Lertwachara, K. (2014). Information and Communications Technology Development and the Digital Divide: A Global and Regional Assessment. Information Technology for Development, 20(1), pp.60–77. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2013.797378. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2013.797378

Baah, K. (2016). The Effects of Digital Divide on Teaching and Learning Processes in Second Cycle Schools in the Wenchi Municipality of Ghana. EduPedia Publications (P) Ltd.

Beaunoyer, E., Dupéré, S. and Guitton, M.J. (2020). COVID-19 and digital inequalities: Reciprocal impacts and mitigation strategies. Computers in Human Behavior, [online] 111, p.106424. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106424. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106424

Borda, M., Grishchenko, N. and Kowalczyk-Rólczyńska, P. (2022). Impact of Digital Inequality on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from European Union Countries. Sustainability, 14(5), p.2850. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052850. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052850

Brown, L. (2010). Making the Case for Case Study Research. Chaplaincy Today, 26(2), pp.2–15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10999183.2010.10767407. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10999183.2010.10767407

Caumont, O., Foray, A., Besson, L. and Parent, J. (2013). An Observation Operator for Radar Refractivity Change: Comparison of Observations and Convective-Scale Simulations. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 148(2), pp.379–397. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-013-9820-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-013-9820-3

Chaturvedi, P., Chaturvedi, A. and Singh, A. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic: A story of helpless humans, confused clinicians, rudderless researchers, and a victorious virus! Cancer Research, Statistics, and Treatment, 4(1), p.1. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/crst.crst_367_20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/crst.crst_367_20

Chetty, K., Aneja, U., Mishra, V., Gcora, N. and Josie, J. (2018). Bridging the digital divide in the G20: skills for the new age. Economics: The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal, 12(1), pp.1–20. doi:https://doi.org/10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2018-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2018-24

Chuang, Y.-T. (2014). Increasing Learning Motivation and Student Engagement through the Technology- Supported Learning Environment. Creative Education, 5(23), pp.1969–1978. doi:https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2014.523221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2014.523221

Crawford, A., Blitch, A., Lindsley, J.E. and Dickerson, T.T. (2020). Embracing uncertainty: COVID‐19 exploration in real time. Medical Education, 54(11), pp.1052–1053. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14320

Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research design : qualitative, quantitative & mixed methods approaches. 5th ed. Los Angeles: Sage.

Dhawan, S. (2020). Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, [online] 49(1), pp.5–22. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520934018

Francis, D.V. and Weller, C.E. (2021). Economic Inequality, the Digital Divide, and Remote Learning During COVID-19. The Review of Black Political Economy, 49(1), p.003464462110177. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/00346446211017797. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00346446211017797

Gunkel, D.J. (2003). Second Thoughts: Toward a Critique of the Digital Divide. New Media & Society, 5(4), pp.499–522. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/146144480354003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/146144480354003

Hash, P.M. (2020). Remote Learning in School Bands During the COVID-19 Shutdown. Journal of Research in Music Education, 68(4), p.002242942096700. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429420967008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429420967008

Heeks, R. (2022). Digital inequality beyond the digital divide: conceptualizing adverse digital incorporation in the global South. Information Technology for Development, 28(4), pp.688–704. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2022.2068492. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2022.2068492

Hirata, Y. (2021). Are Japanese university students ready for remote language learning? Interactive Technology and Smart Education, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/itse-10-2020-0218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-10-2020-0218

https://plus.google.com/+UNESCO (2020). Startling digital divides in distance learning emerge. [online] UNESCO. Available at: https://en.unesco.org/news/startling-digital-divides-distance-learning-emerge.

Iwai, Y. (2020). Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic. [online] Scientific American Blog Network. Available at: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/online-learning-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/.

Kaur, K. and Neena (2014). Pattern of Inter-State Digital Divide in India. Economic Affairs, 59(3), p.379. doi:https://doi.org/10.5958/0976-4666.2014.00006.0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/0976-4666.2014.00006.0

Li, C. and Lalani, F. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education forever. this is how. [online] World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/coronavirus-education-global-covid19-online-digital-learning.

Malter, A.J. and Rindfleisch, A. (2019). Transitioning to a Digital World. Review of Marketing Research, 16, pp.1–11. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/s1548-643520190000016001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1548-643520190000016001

Martens, M., Hajibayova, L., Campana, K., Rinnert, G.C., Caniglia, J., Bakori, I.G., Kamiyama, T., Mohammed, L.A., Mupinga, D.M. and Oh, O.J. (2020). ‘Being on the wrong side of the digital divide’: seeking technological interventions for education in Northeast Nigeria. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 72(6), pp.963–978. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/ajim-05-2020-0172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-05-2020-0172

Matthews, B.H. (2019). Hidden constraints to digital financial inclusion: the oral-literate divide. Development in Practice, 29(8), pp.1–15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2019.1654979. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2019.1654979

Mazlan, A.F., Mohamad, M., Reesha, A., Kassim, R., Othman, Z. and Kummin, S. (2021). Challenges and Strategies to Enhance Online Remote Teaching and Learning by Tertiary Institution Educators: A Literature Review. Creative Education, [online] 12(04), pp.718–726. doi:https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.124050. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.124050

Ohemeng, F.L.K. and Ofosu-Adarkwa, K. (2014). Overcoming the Digital Divide in Developing Countries. Journal of Developing Societies, 30(3), pp.297–322. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0169796x14536970. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0169796X14536970

Osabwa, W. (2022). Coming to Terms With COVID-19 Reality in the Context of Africa’s Higher Education: Challenges, Insights, and Prospects. Frontiers in Education, 7. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.643162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.643162

Paradiso, M. (2010). Communications mode(l)s and disasters: from word of mouth to ICTs. Netcom, 24(3), pp.181–200. doi:https://doi.org/10.4000/netcom.373. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/netcom.373

Pick, J., Sarkar, A. and Parrish, E. (2021). The Latin American and Caribbean digital divide: a geospatial and multivariate analysis. Information Technology for Development, 27(2), pp.235–262. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2020.1805398. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2020.1805398

Radovanović, D., Hogan, B. and Lalić, D. (2015). Overcoming digital divides in higher education: Digital literacy beyond Facebook. New Media & Society, 17(10), pp.1733–1749. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444815588323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444815588323

Reddick, C.G., Abdelsalam, H.M.E. and Elkadi, H.A. (2012). Channel choice and the digital divide in e-government: the case of Egypt. Information Technology for Development, 18(3), pp.226–246. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2011.643206. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2011.643206

Sansa, N.A. (2020). Analysis for the Impact of the COVID - 19 to the Petrol Price in China. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3547413. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3547413

Sein, M.K. and Furuholt, B. (2012). Intermediaries: bridges across the digital divide. Information Technology for Development, 18(4), pp.332–344. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2012.667754. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2012.667754

Seymour, K., Skattebol, J. and Pook, B. (2020). Compounding education disengagement: COVID-19 lockdown, the digital divide and wrap-around services. Journal of Children’s Services, 15(4), pp.243–251. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/jcs-08-2020-0049. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-08-2020-0049

Steele, C. (2019). Digital libraries and God in cyberspace. ANZTLA EJournal, (27), pp.6–10. doi:https://doi.org/10.31046/anztla.v0i27.995. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31046/anztla.v0i27.995

Stephenson, J. (2020). United Nations Seeks to Counter COVID-19 Misinformation with Digital First Responders. JAMA Health Forum, 1(6), p.e200700. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2020.0700. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2020.0700

Taylor, J. and Taylor, R. (2021). Decreasing work-related movement during a pandemic. Location analytics and the implications of the digital divide. International Journal of Development Issues, 20(3), pp.293–308. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/ijdi-11-2020-0260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-11-2020-0260

Thomas Hauer (2017). Structuralism and Postmodern Discourse. Philosophy Study, 7(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5313/2017.04.003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5313/2017.04.003

Thongsri, N., Chootong, C., Tripak, O., Piyawanitsatian, P. and Saengae, R. (2021). Predicting the determinants of online learning adoption during the COVID-19 outbreak: a two-staged hybrid SEM-neural network approach. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/itse-08-2020-0165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-08-2020-0165

UNESCO (2021). UNESCO : Building Peace through Education, Science and Culture, communication and information. [online] Unesco.org. Available at: https://en.unesco.org/news/startling-digital-divides-distance-learning-emerge. [Accessed 3 Feb. 2024].

UNICEF (2021). 1 in 3 countries are not taking action to help students catch up on their learning post-COVID-19 school closures. [online] www.unicef.org. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/1-3-countries-are-not-taking-action-help-students-catch-their-learning-post-covid-19 [Accessed 25 Jul. 2022].

van Deursen, A. and van Dijk, J. (2010). Internet skills and the digital divide. New Media & Society, 13(6), pp.893–911. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444810386774. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444810386774

van Deursen, A.J. and van Dijk, J.A. (2018). The first-level digital divide shifts from inequalities in physical access to inequalities in material access. New Media & Society, [online] 21(2), pp.354–375. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818797082. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818797082

Van Dijk, J.A.G.M. (2017). Digital Divide: Impact of Access. The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects, pp.1–11. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118783764.wbieme0043. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118783764.wbieme0043

van Dijk, J.A.G.M. (2013). Inequalities in the Network Society. Digital Sociology, pp.105–124. doi:https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137297792_8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137297792_8

Wagner, D.A. (2000). Literacy, technological literacy and the digital divide. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Wang, E. (2021). Defeating the Digital Divide. SIAM Undergraduate Research Online, 14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1137/21s1417922. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1137/21S1417922

Wang, L. and Liu, C. (2021). The role of motivation in the digital divide: The moderating effect of device access. Mobile Media & Communication, 10(3), pp.406–420. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579211060621. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20501579211060621

Xia, J. (2010). Linking ICTs to rural development: China’s rural information policy. Government Information Quarterly, 27(2), pp.187–195. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2009.10.005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2009.10.005

Downloads

Published

30-09-2026

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

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

Creative Commons License

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.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

21-30 of 59

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.