Across
Ghana’s growing digital economy, more businesses and government institutions
are embracing cloud technology as a foundation for modern operations. From
Accra to Kumasi, organisations are turning to the cloud for everything from
data storage and application hosting to remote collaboration and security. But
while the promise of cloud computing includes greater flexibility, easier
scalability, and potential cost savings, many businesses are discovering
that—without careful management—cloud expenses can escalate quickly and
unexpectedly. For many companies, especially SMEs and public sector
organisations working with tight budgets, this can be a serious concern.
Subscription
models – A blessing or a budget burden?
Most
cloud services—from Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to Google
Cloud and even local data centre providers—use subscription-based pricing. You
pay based on the number of users or how much you use the service. In Ghana,
where budgeting tends to be done annually and with limited room for variation,
this model can be tricky. Underestimating the number of users or keeping
inactive accounts running can lead to bills that are difficult to justify. IT
leads must regularly audit user access and service subscriptions. Deleting old
user accounts and consolidating tools across departments can result in
significant savings.
Save money
by cleaning up digital clutter
Whether
it’s a government agency storing outdated memos or a fintech company keeping
logs of old transactions, data builds up quickly. And cloud storage, even when
affordable, is not free. Businesses should encourage regular file reviews.
Every quarter, staff can be asked to delete unnecessary files or archive
infrequently used data to cheaper storage tiers. Tools like Microsoft OneDrive
or SharePoint offer localised storage options and archiving features that can
help. It’s a small step, but when multiplied across departments, the savings
can be substantial.
Avoid leaving
cloud systems running after hours
One of
the easiest ways to lose money in the cloud is by leaving services running when
they’re not in use. This is especially common in software development
environments, where virtual machines and databases are often left active
overnight or over the weekend. A Ghanaian health startup recently cut its
monthly bill by 65percent simply by automating the shutdown of cloud services
after working hours. That’s money that could go back into product development
or customer engagement. With scheduled shutdown scripts or cloud automation
tools, businesses can avoid paying for idle resources.
Embrace automation
to do more with less
Labour
costs in Ghana are relatively affordable compared to Western countries, but
skilled IT professionals are still a valuable (and sometimes scarce) resource.
Cloud automation—such as automatic server provisioning, daily backups, or
monitoring—can reduce manual work and eliminate costly human errors. Whether
you’re a telco managing thousands of customer records or a university offering
remote learning services, automation ensures consistency and frees up your IT
team for innovation instead of maintenance.
You’re not
stuck with one cloud vendor
Just
because your business started with one provider doesn’t mean you’re tied to
them forever. Many Ghanaian organisations hesitate to switch vendors, often due
to perceived complexity or lack of local support. However, cloud pricing
changes often—and there may be better, more cost-effective plans available. Some
cloud providers offer pricing benefits depending on where your data is hosted.
Hosting in Africa (such as Microsoft’s data centres in South Africa) might
provide better rates or data sovereignty compliance. It’s worth regularly
reviewing your contract, comparing pricing tiers, or even negotiating directly
with your provider or local reseller.
Looking
ahead – Cloud for growth, not for gaps
Ghana is
on the rise digitally. With government-led initiatives like Ghana.gov, growing
tech ecosystems in East Legon, Spintex, and beyond, and local cloud experts
increasingly available, the conditions are right for cloud transformation. But
to make the most of the cloud, organisations must manage it wisely. Smart cloud
use isn’t just a matter of technology—it’s about strategy. With good planning,
regular reviews, and efficient management, Ghanaian businesses can harness the
full potential of cloud computing without overstretching their budgets.
By Allen OLAYIWOLA
>>>the
writer is a seasoned cloud architect and systems administrator with expertise
in leading technical teams to create innovative platforms. As CTO of eSolutions
Consulting, he has spearheaded major projects like the Office 365 rollout for
Ghana’s government and infrastructure deployment for the Ghana Revenue
Authority.
Recognized for
his strategic use of emerging technologies, Allen has led his team to multiple
Microsoft Partner of the Year awards, solidifying his role as a key leader in
tech-driven business transformation. If you'd like to explore how these
strategies can help your organization thrive, reach out to discuss tailored
solutions for your business growth journey. He can be reached via allen@esolutionsghana.com and
or 0540123034
