Accra, Ghana – The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has revealed a critical threat to the nation’s digital infrastructure, reporting an alarming surge in fibre optic cable cuts from 400 to 8,000 incidents annually. This dramatic increase, highlighted during the Chamber’s 15th-anniversary launch, is severely straining telecommunications operators’ resources and jeopardizing Ghana’s digital progress.
Context of Rapid Digital Expansion
Ghana has witnessed remarkable digital growth over the past decade, with internet penetration soaring from a mere 4% to over 70%. This success, however, has inadvertently exposed vast networks of fibre optic cables laid across the country.
The extensive rollout of telecommunication infrastructure, spanning thousands of kilometres, has left cables vulnerable to damage. Common causes include ongoing road construction projects, illegal mining activities often referred to as ‘galamsey,’ and general excavation work.
The ‘Repair-and-Replace’ Strain
Instead of investing in future technologies like 5G or expanding rural connectivity, telecommunications companies are now diverting significant funds into a continuous cycle of repairing and replacing damaged fibre optic cables. This financial drain is a direct consequence of the escalating number of cuts.
Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, stated,
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