Ghana's digital backbone faces a severe crisis. Fibre optic cable cuts have surged from 400 to 8,000 per year. This happened over the last 15 years. The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications reported these figures. The increase is a major strain on telecom operators. It's costing them millions of cedis in repairs. This money should go towards expanding services. Instead, it's used for a costly repair cycle.
The rapid growth of internet use is partly to blame. Internet penetration has jumped from 4% to over 70% in a decade. This expansion has left many fibre cables exposed. Road construction is a major cause of damage. Illegal mining activities, known locally as 'galamsey', also contribute. General excavation work further damages the cables. These issues directly impact the quality of internet service for millions of Ghanaians.
This situation impacts Ghana's economic progress. The digital economy relies on stable internet access. Millions of cedis earmarked for 5G rollout are now spent on repairs. This 'repair-and-replace' cycle hinders innovation. It also limits rural connectivity efforts. The Chamber wants to shift focus from damage control to progress. Their goal is to move the country forward technologically.
Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, CEO of the Chamber, highlighted the issue. "We are experiencing over 8,000 cuts per annum when it comes to fibre cuts, which is increasingly a strain on our operators’ resources," she stated. She added that resources for new rollouts are now used for repairs. The Chamber is strongly advocating for the 'Dig Once' policy. This policy would ensure that protected underground ducts are built during all major road projects. This allows multiple companies to lay fibre safely. It prevents repeated road excavations and protects the cables.
The 'Dig Once' policy is currently being discussed at the Cabinet level. The Chamber urges the government to expedite its approval. They see it as the only solution to ensure network resilience. This will also protect consumers' right to reliable internet. The industry believes Ghana has matured enough to implement protective laws. Without this intervention, service disruptions will continue. This will negatively affect Ghana's growing digital economy.