Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George Reports US$20 Million Loss to Fibre Optic Damage in 2026

Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has revealed that Ghana incurred expenses exceeding US$20 million to repair 8,578 fibre optic cable cuts in 2026 alone. This significant financial drain underscores the persistent challenges facing the nation's digital infrastructure, which serves as the backbone for the country's economic activities. The Minister noted that these recurring damages not only disrupt essential telecommunications services but also place an immense financial burden on network operators, diverting capital that is critical for the broader digital agenda under President John Mahama’s administration.

Detailed data identifies road construction and illegal mining as the primary drivers of this infrastructure crisis. Approximately 49% of the fibre cuts are attributed to road development projects, specifically those executed under the government's "Big Push" programme. Illegal mining, or galamsey, accounts for another 25% of the incidents. While the 8,578 cuts reported in 2026 represent a slight improvement from the over 10,000 cases seen in 2022, the figure remains significantly higher than the 3,900 cuts recorded in 2021, suggesting that current protection measures are insufficient.

The financial implications extend beyond the immediate repair bills. Mr. George emphasized the substantial opportunity cost, noting that the US$20 million spent on maintenance could have been utilized to expand telecommunications infrastructure into underserved rural areas or to enhance existing network speeds. For telecommunications operators, the constant need to fund repairs creates a volatile business environment and hampers their ability to invest in long-term technological upgrades, such as the expansion of 4G and 5G services across the country.

To mitigate these losses, the Ministry is advocating for institutionalized coordination between road contractors, mining regulators, and telecommunications firms. Minister George stressed the urgency of protecting digital assets during the planning and execution phases of road projects to prevent accidental damages. By fostering better synergy between physical and digital infrastructure development, the government aims to reduce these preventable expenses and ensure that the telecommunications sector can focus its resources on innovation and national connectivity.