MTN Ghana seeks police protection for engineers after Osino attacks

MTN Ghana has formally requested police protection for its field engineers operating in the Eastern Region following a series of hostile encounters with illegal miners. The telecommunications provider reported that staff members working to restore vital infrastructure in Osino have been repeatedly targeted by galamsey operators. These miners often mistake the technical teams for law enforcement officers conducting anti-mining raids, leading to dangerous confrontations that hinder maintenance work.

According to Samuel Duku, the Network Manager for the Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions, the hostility has escalated to a point where security assistance is now a prerequisite for personnel safety. The conflict typically arises during nighttime operations when engineers are dispatched to repair fiber optic cables that have been damaged by illegal mining activities. These cables are frequently severed by heavy machinery and excavation work associated with galamsey. When repair crews arrive at night with technical equipment, the miners perceive their presence as a threat, resulting in physical aggression and threats against the staff.

The disruption caused by these attacks extends beyond the immediate safety of the engineers, as it significantly delays the restoration of telecommunications services for customers across the region. MTN Ghana emphasized that the recurring infrastructure damage caused by mining activities necessitates a consistent presence of technical teams in these volatile areas. By securing police escorts, the company aims to protect its workforce while ensuring that critical connectivity issues can be resolved promptly and safely without technical teams fearing for their lives.