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Ghana Telecom Fiber Optic Cable Laying

Fiber and communications infrastructure knowledge brief Published 17 Feb 2025

Prepared for preliminary research by the ROGER FIBRE knowledge desk. Confirm optical interfaces, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, thermal design and installation limits against current standards and product documentation.

Ghana's fibre optic network is rapidly expanding but faces significant challenges from frequent cable cuts, prompting calls for protective measures like the “dig once” policy.

Current State of Fibre Optic Infrastructure

Ghana has seen substantial growth in telecommunications infrastructure, with internet penetration rising from about 4% to over 70% in recent years, driving the expansion of fibre optic networks nationwide. Telecom operators, including MTN Ghana, AT Ghana, and Telecel Ghana, rely heavily on underground fibre networks, some inherited from the former Ghana Telecom infrastructure. This expansion has improved digital access but has also increased the exposure of fibre cables to damage.

Frequency and Causes of Fibre Cuts

The country experiences a high number of fibre optic cable cuts annually. In 2025, there were approximately 8,000 cuts, while between 2021 and 2025, a total of 33,878 fibre cuts were reported. Causes include: Road construction (20.

68%)Theft and vandalism (13. 98%)Private developer activity (13. 40%)Broken core and pole damage (23.

42% combined)Drain, fire, farming, floods, mining, and utility works (various smaller percentages), These incidents disrupt internet services, mobile money operations, and banking transactions, threatening the stability of Ghana's digital infrastructure.

Financial Impact

Repairing damaged fibre cables imposes a significant financial burden on telecom operators. The industry has spent over US$69. 3 million on repairs over the past five years, with individual repair costs ranging from US$1,923 to US$3,214.

Funds that could have been used for network expansion and service improvement are instead redirected to maintenance.

Policy and Mitigation Measures

To address these challenges, the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications advocates for a “dig once” policy, which integrates fibre duct installation into major road construction projects. This approach aims to create protected underground pathways, reducing accidental damage and improving long-term network resilience. Additionally, the Chamber is preparing legal action against contractors responsible for fibre damage to enforce accountability.

Conclusion

While Ghana's fibre optic network continues to expand, frequent cable cuts from construction, vandalism, and other activities pose serious operational and financial challenges. Implementing protective measures like the “dig once” policy, improving coordination with developers, and enforcing accountability are critical steps to ensure network stability and support the country's digital transformation agenda.

Ghana Telecom Fiber Optic Cable Laying - ROGER FIBRE ATELIER [PDF]

Ghana Telecom Fiber Optic Cable Laying

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary fiber and communications infrastructure research. Optical interface, fiber type, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, cooling, installation limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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