Over 10,000 fibre-optic cable cuts cost $17.4m in 2024 – Ken Ashigbey
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber have reported 10,233 fibre-optic cable cuts across the country between January and November 2024.
The incidents cost the telecommunications sector an alarming $17.4 million in repairs, with each repair averaging $1,640.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the GCT, highlighted the growing threat these cuts pose to the stability of Ghana’s national fibre network.
Speaking at the inaugural Technology Industry Media Excellence Awards (TIMEA) in Accra on December 17, he expressed concern that funds meant for network expansion and improvement are being diverted to repair damages.
“We are committed to working with stakeholders to safeguard our telecom infrastructure and hold perpetrators accountable,” he stated.
Dr. Ashigbey identified key causes of the fibre-optic cable cuts.
-Road construction topped the list at 20.68%, driven by the heightened focus on road renovation and construction projects during the election year.
-Theft and vandalism: 13.98%
-Private developer activity: 13.4%
-Broken core: 11.81%
-Damage to poles and aerial networks: 11.61%
-Drain construction: 9.51%
Other factors such as fire, farming, floods, mining, and activities by utility companies accounted for the remaining 19.01%.
To address this challenge, the GCT is advocating for:
- Collaborative Policies: Prevent repeated road excavations by allowing shared cable-laying opportunities.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging contractors through the Association of Contractors to address the issues.
He advocated establishing specialised courts to prosecute individuals responsible for fibre-optic vandalism and network disruptions.
Dr Ashigbey emphasised the critical role fibre-optic cables play in supporting high-speed data transfers and digital services, urging immediate action to protect this vital resource.