2026-07-10 –, Decentralized Hardware @ Hackers Lab
A presentation on how we’re deploying community mesh networks in rural communities in Ghana. I’ll share a case study from Step Network’s deployments in Ghana's Eastern region and how we’re working with the Internet Society and local communities to address the licensing barriers that hold these networks back.
The presentation will focus on a primary case study from one of Ghana Community Networks Alliance (GCNA)'s member called Step Network and their Bruben Community Network in the Afram Plains. We will walk through the three main pillars of this project:
The Technical Deployment: We will examine how Step Network extended connectivity to an island population of over 27,400 people. I’ll discuss the technical architecture of the mesh network, its reliance on solar power to maintain 95% uptime, and how Step Network manages the logistics of remote, off-grid maintenance.
Social & Economic Impact: A look at how the community utilizes Step Network’s infrastructure for education and local commerce. I’ll highlight the community-managed payment app developed for the Bruben project, which allows residents to access services on a flexible, affordable basis.
The Policy Frontier: Building a working network is only half the battle. I will share details on our current partnership with the Internet Society (ISOC) to organize the Community Networks Policy Dialogue in Ghana. Using Step Network’s field experience as evidence, we are actively engaging stakeholders to fix the licensing barriers that currently prevent community-led initiatives from scaling legally.
The session aims to provide a blueprint based on Step Network's success for how technical specialists can work alongside communities to reclaim digital sovereignty.
Shadrach Ankrah is an IT Specialist and the Founder of the Africa Rural Internet and STEM Initiative (AFRISTEMI). He works at the intersection of technical deployment and policy advocacy.