The recent directive by the government to mandate all existing domains to add “.gh” within 6 months has sparked widespread concern among businesses and website owners in Ghana. Many are warning of the negative impacts of changing domain names, citing potential losses in search engine rankings, brand identity, and website traffic.
According to stakeholders, the mandatory change could lead to a loss of search engine rankings, resulting in decreased visibility and traffic. Additionally, broken links and backlinks could negatively impact search engine rankings and website credibility. Brand identity and recognition could also be affected, potentially leading to a loss of trust and loyalty among customers.
Furthermore, the change could disrupt email services and correspondence, potentially leading to missed communications and lost opportunities. Technical issues and downtime are also a major concern, which could negatively impact website functionality and user experience.
“We urge the government to reconsider this directive,” said a spokesperson for the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association. “The potential consequences of changing domain names are far-reaching and could have a significant impact on businesses and website owners in Ghana.”
The association is calling for a more consultative approach to the implementation of the directive, taking into account the potential impacts on businesses and website owners.
In related news, the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association has offered to engage with the government to discuss the implications of the directive and explore alternative solutions that could achieve the government’s objectives without causing undue harm to businesses and website owners.
The government has yet to comment on the matter, but stakeholders are hopeful that their concerns will be taken into consideration.