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Ghana’s Digital Backbone Threatened

 …as Fibre Sabotage knocks 157 MTN Sites Offline

MTN, Digital Backbone, MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder


By Kofi Ahovi

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a growing crisis of fibre-optic cable cuts, revealing that recent disruptions have taken 157 network sites offline across the country.

Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, Blewett said the scale of the damage goes far beyond isolated service interruptions, significantly affecting connectivity for millions of users.

It’s not just about cutting fibre to a home. When fibre is cut, it brings down multiple sites, and that’s problematic. The experience becomes poor, and we have to proactively manage that,” he explained.

He noted that many consumers underestimate the impact of fibre cuts, assuming disruptions are limited to the immediate area. However, due to the interconnected nature of modern telecom infrastructure, a single cut can trigger widespread outages across several communities.

Fibre-optic cables serve as the backbone linking multiple cell towers to central network systems. As a result, damage—whether caused by road construction equipment or acts of vandalism—can lead to cascading failures across entire network zones.

Blewett described the situation as a major operational challenge, undermining significant investments made by MTN in expanding 4G and 5G services nationwide. He warned that the persistent disruptions pose a serious threat to service reliability, especially as demand for data continues to surge.

The issue, he said, is largely driven by uncoordinated road construction works and deliberate cable theft or sabotage—problems that continue to plague the sector.

Beyond inconvenience to individual users, the MTN CEO stressed that the impact is far-reaching, affecting critical services such as businesses, healthcare delivery, and emergency response systems that depend on stable connectivity.

This is not just about social media access. It affects hospitals, businesses, and essential services that rely on constant connectivity,” he noted.

MTN is now pushing for fibre-optic infrastructure to be designated as Critical National Infrastructure, a move that would impose stricter penalties on individuals or entities responsible for damaging the cables.

The call comes as Ghana intensifies efforts to advance its digitalisation agenda, with industry players urging stronger coordination between government agencies and construction firms to prevent recurring disruptions.

Stakeholders warn that without urgent action, the continued damage to fibre networks could slow down the country’s digital transformation and weaken confidence in its telecommunications infrastructure.

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