(Ecofin Agency) – Ghanaian telecom operators experience frequent fiber optic outages caused by construction projects, acts of vandalism and natural disasters. Initiatives are multiplying to limit the extent of this phenomenon.
Ghana is facing a surge in fiber optic cable cuts, a problem that is seriously affecting the stability and quality of its national network. According to the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and the Chamber of Electronic Money Issuers (EMIS), between January and November 2024, 10,233 outages were reported, resulting in repair costs amounting to over 17.4 million of dollars.
According to Kenneth Ashigbey (photo), director general of GCT, these incidents are caused mainly by road construction, real estate projects, vandalism, theft and natural disasters. “These frequent outages endanger the national fiber optic backbone and compromise efforts to improve existing services”he said.
These cuts have a significant economic impact, with approximately 202.1 million cedis (12.8 million USD) invested since January 2023 to repair damaged infrastructure. This situation not only hinders the expansion of networks, but also threatens Ghana’s competitiveness internationally. In response, GCT entered into partnerships with the Ministry of Roads and Highways, road agencies and construction companies to limit the damage. She also launched the “Save Our Fiber” campaign to raise public awareness of the consequences of these cuts.
To address these challenges, the Chamber advocates for policies to reduce repeated excavations and strengthen infrastructure protection. It also proposes the establishment of a specialized court to prosecute those responsible for these acts and initiate close collaboration between all stakeholders. The aim is to ensure a resilient network, capable of supporting Ghana’s digital ambitions while meeting the growing connectivity needs of its citizens.
Samira Njoya
Published by Sèna DB de Sodji
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