The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has announced that it has received assurances from the Ministry of Roads and Highways to ensure uninterrupted telecommunications services during the 2024 general elections.

As part of the agreement, no major excavation works will be carried out in critical areas a week before and after the elections to prevent disruptions to fibre networks. This is aimed at safeguarding the transmission of electoral data and ensuring the integrity of the country’s telecom infrastructure during the crucial period.

Speaking to Citi News, the CEO of the Chamber, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, emphasised the importance of the initiative.

“The Minister for Roads and Highways has agreed that we need resilient networks and cannot afford fibre cuts during the elections. A week before and after the elections, there will be no excavation for road works in major areas that could affect the Electoral Commission and others’ accessibility,” he said.

Fibre cuts have been a recurring issue in Ghana, often impacting network reliability. To address this, Dr. Ashigbey said the Chamber is collaborating with key stakeholders, including law enforcement and the judiciary.

“We’ve had meetings with the IGP and will conduct training with prosecutors and investigators. The Chief Justice has also provided two dedicated courts—one in Accra and another in Kumasi—to handle cases involving telecom-related offences,” he noted.

The Chamber is also engaging the Attorney General to streamline legal processes. Although a dedicated fiat for prosecuting such cases will take time, interim measures include assigning specialised attorneys for telecom cases.

These steps reflect the Chamber’s commitment to ensuring smooth communication during the elections and enhancing network resilience for national stability.

Source:TheDotNews