Ghana Has Recorded More Than 4,000 Fibre Cuts in 2026- Sam George
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, says Ghana had recorded more than 4,000 fibre-optic cable cuts by June 2026, warning that repeated damage to telecommunications infrastructure was affecting network quality and increasing industry costs.
He said the damage was partly linked to road construction, illegal mining activities and excavation works by individuals and businesses undertaking projects without adequately protecting underground fibre cables.
Speaking to journalists after a two-day tour of rural telephony sites and One Million Coders Programme centres in the Volta Region, Hon. Samuel Nartey George said the telecommunications industry spent more than US$20 million repairing fibre cuts in 2025 alone.
He argued that the money could otherwise have been invested in expanding network infrastructure and building additional telecommunications sites.
“Last year alone, the telecom industry spent over 20 million dollars fixing fibre cuts,” he said.
The Minister also warned that repairing a damaged fibre cable did not necessarily restore the network to its original quality.
He cited studies suggesting that each repaired cut could result in a four per cent loss in network quality, meaning repeated damage could significantly degrade performance over time.
Hon. Sam George said the government was working to improve coordination between the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation to reduce damage during construction.
He disclosed that the two ministries had met with the National Communications Authority (NCA), mobile network operators, internet service providers and other stakeholders to strengthen the National Engineering Coordination Team.
Under the proposed arrangement, focal persons would be identified for road projects across the country to help notify telecommunications asset owners before excavation begins.
Hon. Samuel Nartey George said better coordination would allow fibre owners to relocate vulnerable infrastructure where necessary before construction works commence.
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