The latest disruption to Telecel Ghana’s services in parts of the Central Region has renewed concerns over the recurring damage to Ghana’s fibre infrastructure and the growing cost to businesses, investors and the wider economy.
The disruption, caused by double fibre cuts along the Accra-Winneba and Winneba-Cape Coast routes, has affected an estimated 72,754 Telecel subscribers and about 181 Radio Access Network sites, according to information from the National Communications Authority (NCA).
The affected areas include Winneba, Agona Swedru, Nyakrom, Apam, Mumford, Mankessim, Assin Fosu, Twifo Praso, Ateiku and several communities around the Kasoa-Weija corridor.
The Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister, Mr Samuel Nartey George, said the cuts were caused by road construction works along the affected stretch.
Telecel has since deployed engineers to restore services, while another team is engaging the road contractor to prevent further excavation-related damage.
The latest incident, however, highlights a much broader challenge facing Ghana’s digital economy.
Ghana recorded more than 5,600 fibre cuts in 2024, costing the telecommunications industry an estimated US$9.2 million, equivalent to more than GH¢138 million at the time, according to the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications.
The Chamber said the disruptions also resulted in more than 432 days of restoration time during the year, with the average cost of a fibre cut estimated at about US$23,000.
Road construction was identified as the leading cause, accounting for 20.68 per cent of the cuts, alongside theft, vandalism, private development and damage caused by other utility works.
The problem has persisted into 2026. Mr George disclosed in September that 8,578 fibre cuts had been recorded by August, with the Government and mobile network operators expected to spend about US$20 million on repairs during the year.
He said road construction accounted for about 49 per cent of the cuts, while illegal mining accounted for another 25 percent.
The repeated damage is becoming a business cost rather than simply a telecommunications problem.
For businesses that depend on mobile connectivity, cloud applications, digital payments, online customer service and real-time communication, network interruptions can translate into lost transactions, delayed operations and reduced productivity.
Financial institutions, fintech companies, online retailers and small businesses are particularly exposed because increasingly large portions of their operations depend on reliable connectivity.
The impact also extends to investors assessing Ghana as a destination for technology-enabled businesses and digital services.
Reliable telecommunications infrastructure is increasingly considered part of the basic infrastructure required for modern investment, alongside electricity, roads and transport.
Frequent disruptions and repeated spending on repairs can therefore increase operating risks for businesses while diverting resources that could otherwise be invested in network expansion and improved connectivity.
The telecommunications industry has previously warned that money spent repairing damaged fibre could instead be used to build new network sites and extend connectivity to underserved communities.
The Chamber of Telecommunications has consequently called for stronger coordination between telecom operators, road agencies, utility companies, assemblies and contractors before excavation works begin.
It has proposed mandatory relocation of telecom cables during new road construction, stricter enforcement of excavation permits and dedicated utility management units within road agencies.
Mr George has also indicated that the Government is developing a coordination framework through the NCA requiring road agencies and contractors to engage telecommunications operators before excavation works commence.
The need for such coordination has become more urgent as Ghana accelerates road construction and digitalisation under programmes such as the Big Push.
While the expansion of roads is critical to economic development, inadequate protection of existing digital infrastructure risks creating a situation where investment in one form of infrastructure repeatedly damages another.
The challenge, therefore, is no longer simply how quickly operators can repair fibre cuts after they occur, but how to prevent the damage in the first place.
For Ghana’s digital economy to support productivity, financial inclusion and investment, businesses and investors require telecommunications infrastructure that is not only extensive but also resilient and protected from avoidable disruptions.
