The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has called for increased investment, stronger infrastructure protection and coordinated global action to build resilient telecommunications networks.
He warned that infrastructure that fails during emergencies becomes a liability rather than an asset.
The Minister made the call at a high-level thematic discussion organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on the sidelines of ITU PP-26 in Doha, Qatar, while citing the simultaneous submarine cable failures off the West African coast in March 2024.
Mr Nartey noted that despite having multiple submarine cable systems landing in Ghana, the disruptions affected internet services, businesses and connectivity across the region.
“Redundancy on paper is not resilience in practice,” he emphasised, calling for deliberate efforts to strengthen network resilience across the continent.
The Minister highlighted the proposed Dig Once Policy, currently before Cabinet, which seeks to coordinate telecommunications operators, road contractors, utility providers and local authorities through shared infrastructure mapping and joint excavation to minimise fibre cuts.
He also announced the development of a National Emergency Telecommunications Plan to establish clear response arrangements, prioritise the restoration of critical services such as hospitals, banks and emergency services, and provide satellite backup where necessary.
He further called for regulations that promote genuine network diversity, infrastructure sharing and faster repairs, while highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence, digital twins, satellite connectivity and renewable energy to strengthen network reliability.
He urged countries to deepen cross-border cooperation through shared risk information, regional repair arrangements and increased financing to diversify international connectivity routes.
Ghana also proposed that the ITU adopt a Programme of Action on Resilience with clear responsibilities, timelines and measurable indicators to assess how effectively telecommunications networks withstand and recover from disruptions.
“In a digital world, connectivity is not a convenience, it’s a lifeline,” the Minister stated.
