The Chamber of Telecommunications has revealed that over 5,600 cases of fibre optic cable cuts were recorded in 2024 alone, causing estimated losses of about GH¢138 million to the sector. These frequent damages, primarily caused by road and drain construction activities as well as cable theft, have disrupted services and resulted in costly repairs averaging around US$23,000 per incident.
Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Chamber, explained that many of the damages occur inadvertently when contractors working on roads, drains, and private developments accidentally cut cables.
Additionally, some individuals attempt to steal cables, mistakenly believing they are copper, only to find they are fragile glass fibre, which leads to irreversible damage. Other contributing factors include overloaded vehicles damaging aerial fibre lines and the effects of illegal mining in some areas.
“There are those in road construction, drain construction, and private developments who inadvertently damage cables. Then, there are cases where individuals attempt to steal what they believe is copper, only to find out it’s fibre, essentially glass. By then, the damage is already done,” Dr. Ashigbey explained.
In response to the growing problem, the Chamber has entered into a strategic partnership with the Attorney General’s Department to secure legal authority through a fiat. This would empower the Chamber to prosecute individuals and companies responsible for damaging fibre optic cables.
The plan includes training state attorneys dedicated to handling these cases, a process that began with the previous Attorney General and is being pursued further with the current administration.
Through these collaborative efforts, the telecommunications sector aims to minimize cable damages, protect investments, and ensure uninterrupted, high-quality services for consumers across Ghana.
