The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), H.E John Dramani Mahama has called on road contractors and all Ghanaians to protect the fibre of telecommunication companies across the country.
He made the strong appeal during a recent media engagement in Accra. In response to a question on what his administration will do to ensure internet stability, following the events of March 14, 2024, the former president, called for extra care to protect the fibre that is laid underground and on poles across the country by telecommunication companies.
“We even have domestic fibre cuts. When they are doing road construction, they cuts the fibre links. And so we also must be careful how we protect the fibre that we have.”
His remarks come on the back of a recent engagement with the leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and its sister outfit the EMIs Chamber of Ghana. During that meeting, the two Chambers called for increased attention and support for the telecommunications industry as well as the digital payments ecosystem.
Industry loses over GHS 80 million due to fibre cuts
A look at the alarming statistics in relation to fibre optic cable cuts in 2023, show that 6,232 cuts were recorded during the year under review, resulting in substantial financial losses.
The cost of repairs amounted to USD 6,443,115.18, or GHS 84,087,990.44, with an average repair cost of USD 29,276.42 or GHS 382,492.61.
Several factors were identified as major causes of cable cuts in Ghana in 2023. These were road construction, theft, vandalism, drainage construction, private developer activities, and natural disasters. Additionally, operational works by other utility companies, such as Ghana Water and the Electricity Company of Ghana, were identified as key contributors to fibre cuts across the country.
Telecommunications and EMIs Chamber’s engage NDC flagbearer on the Telecoms Manifesto
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and its sister outfit the EMIs Chamber of Ghana have called for increased attention and support for the telecommunications industry as well as the digital payments ecosystem.
The calls were made during an engagement session between leadership of the two Chambers and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and his team on Monday, June 3, 2024, in Accra, at the secretariat of the two Chambers. The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications was led by its Chairman, the CEO of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, Acting CEO of AT, Leo Skarlatos, , CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, the Managing Director at Helios Towers Ghana, Angelo Govina and Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey the CEO of both Chambers.
The EMIs Chamber of Ghana was on the other hand led by founding chairman of the Chamber, Philip Amoateng, the Director for Telecel Cash, the Acting Managing Director of AT Money, Mohammed Alhassan, CEO of Mobile Money Limited, Shaibu Haruna, Edem Kpodo, the Operations Lead at G-Money and other representatives.
On the NDC side, Former President and flagbearer for the NDC, H.E John Dramani Mahama joined the two Chamber’s with the Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George and other team members.
The meeting which lasted about 2 hours, touched on key issues and challenges affecting members of both the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the EMIs Chamber of Ghana.
For the GCT, the following key issues were discussed;
- A conducive and supportive policy and regulatory environment
- An enabling tax regime
- Protection for industry infrastructure
- Cost of doing business and ease of doing business
- Indebtedness to industry
- Sustainable promotion of local content among others
Issues discussed for the EMIs Chamber meanwhile included;
- Repeal of the E-Levy law
- Facilitating cross-border payments
- Driving digital payments for People to Government as well as merchant payments
- Enabling policy and regulatory environment
- Cost and ease of access to the Ghana card database among others
The meeting forms part of efforts of the two Chambers, to share their key issues with all parties ahead of the December 7 elections, with the hope that the issues are captured in their respective manifestos and implemented once they come into power.
The Flagbearer, H.E John Dramani Mahama gave his vision for the sector which he had played active roles in over the past 3 decades as Deputy Minister, Minister and even as Vice President and President. He assured members that all the issues raised in the Telecoms Manifesto and at the meeting would be dealt with, working in close collaboration with members of both Chambers.
Source: Chamber News Desk
