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Ghana SMS Guidelines: Compliance, Message Length, and More

Overview of SMS in Ghana

Ghana, situated in the Middle East & Africa region, is identified by the ISO code "GH" and uses the mobile country code "620." To send SMS or make calls to Ghana, use the dialing code +233. While number portability is available, allowing users to keep their numbers when switching carriers, there are specific SMS limitations, such as the absence of two-way SMS support.

Two-Way SMS Support

Currently, two-way SMS is not supported in Ghana. This implies that while you can send messages to users in Ghana, they cannot reply via SMS. Businesses relying on interactive SMS campaigns may need to explore alternative communication methods.

Message Length and Concatenation

Sent supports concatenated messages in Ghana, enabling longer messages to be split and reassembled at the recipient's end. The message length before splitting varies based on the encoding used. Messages with special characters or non-Latin scripts may split sooner than those using standard GSM encoding. Note that concatenation support may differ depending on the sender ID type.

MMS Support

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is not directly supported in Ghana. Instead, MMS messages are converted into SMS with an embedded URL, allowing users to view multimedia content via a link rather than directly in their messaging app.

Sending SMS to Landline Numbers

Sending SMS to landline numbers in Ghana is unsupported. Attempts to send SMS to a landline will result in a 400 response with error code 21614 from the Sent REST API. The message will not appear in logs, and your account will not be charged. Ensure destination numbers are mobile to avoid this issue.

Compliance Considerations

Adhering to legal and regulatory requirements is crucial when sending SMS messages in Ghana. Sent advises consulting with legal counsel before launching SMS campaigns to ensure compliance with local laws. Here are some general best practices:

  • Opt-in Consent: Obtain explicit opt-in consent from users before sending communications, especially for marketing.
  • Respect Time Zones: Send messages during the recipient's local daytime hours unless urgent.
  • Support for HELP/STOP Messages: Ensure SMS campaigns support commands like HELP and STOP in the local language.
  • Do-Not-Call Registries: Avoid contacting users listed on do-not-call or do-not-disturb registries.

By following these guidelines, your SMS campaigns can be both compliant and effective in reaching your audience in Ghana.

Conclusion

Ghana provides flexibility with number portability and message concatenation, but limitations like the lack of two-way SMS and MMS support exist. Compliance with local regulations is essential, and businesses should prioritize obtaining opt-in consent and respecting local time zones. By adhering to these guidelines, you can maximize the effectiveness of SMS as a communication tool in Ghana.