Social media use in Ghana continues to expand rapidly, with millions of Ghanaians engaging daily across platforms for communication, entertainment, business and news. According to recent digital insights, 8.59 million social media user identities were recorded in Ghana in late 2025, roughly 24.4 percent of the total population, signalling strong and growing online engagement.
Here’s a full look at the top five social media platforms used by Ghanaians in 2025–26, based on user bases, penetration and usage patterns:
1. WhatsApp — 93% of Ghanaian internet users
WhatsApp remains by far the most widely used platform in Ghana, with 93 percent of internet users reporting regular use as of early 2025. The app dominates digital communication across demographics, serving not only personal messaging but also community groups, business chats, official announcements and informal marketplaces.
For many Ghanaians, WhatsApp is the backbone of their online social activity, often replacing SMS and email for everyday communication, especially among families, student groups and small businesses.
2. Facebook — ~7.8 million users
Facebook closely follows WhatsApp in overall usage in Ghana, with around 7.8 million users according to reports from DataReportal. The platform remains a key hub for community groups, news dissemination, branded pages, event planning and transactional activity like buying and selling through Marketplace features.
Facebook’s broad reach across age groups makes it particularly effective for organisations, political mobilisation, and public discourse, despite younger audiences increasingly diversifying to other platforms.
3. YouTube — ~8.6 million users
YouTube leads in video engagement, with roughly 8.6 million potential users in Ghana by the end of 2025. The platform is the go-to destination for long-form content, including music videos, tutorials, vlogs, news analysis, entertainment and educational programming.
Unlike short-form trend platforms, YouTube attracts a wide age range and is often used for deeper content, including church services, documentaries, and online learning, strengthening its role in both culture and commerce.
4. TikTok — ~7.4 million users
TikTok has grown rapidly in Ghana, with nearly 7.4 million users reported in the same period. Known for its short, engaging video format, the platform is especially popular among teens and young adults.
Content creators in Ghana leverage TikTok for music discovery, creative skits, dance clips, lifestyle content, social commentary, and to build audience followings that often extend to other platforms such as Instagram and YouTube.
5. Instagram — ~2.3 million users
While smaller in overall user count than the other big four, Instagram remains a major platform for visual storytelling and branding, with about 2.3 million users in Ghana as of late 2025.
Instagram’s appeal is strongest among young adults, influencers, fashion brands and creatives, where visuals, Reels and Stories play a central role in engagement and commerce, especially in lifestyle, music and personal branding niches.
What these numbers tell us about Ghana’s social media landscape
- Communication First: WhatsApp’s dominance reflects how Ghanaians prioritise direct, instant messaging, for personal, community and business use.
- Video Growth: Platforms like YouTube and TikTok illustrate rising demand for video content, both for entertainment and education.
- Commerce & Influence: Facebook and Instagram continue to serve as key channels for commerce, brand visibility and influencer ecosystems.
- Mobile-First: Strong mobile connectivity (over 119 percent SIM penetration) helps drive social media use among all age groups.
As Ghana’s internet penetration climbs and digital literacy spreads, social media platforms are becoming central to how citizens connect, consume information, and even earn income, from online businesses to content creation.