Galamsey Responsible for 25% of Fibre Cuts in Ghana: Sam George

Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George has disclosed that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, accounts for about 25 per cent of fibre-optic cable cuts recorded across Ghana.

He said the increasing destruction of underground fibre infrastructure by illegal miners poses a serious threat to the stability and reliability of the country’s telecommunications network.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 7, Mr George said galamsey has emerged as one of the major causes of fibre network disruptions, alongside road construction and activities by private developers.

According to him, illegal miners frequently damage underground fibre cables while excavating, often without notifying telecommunications companies or the relevant authorities.

“25 per cent of fibre cuts are a result of galamsey. The telecom industry is one of the worst hit by the activities of galamsey operators,” he said.

Mr George explained that while road contractors generally report incidents involving damage to fibre infrastructure, illegal miners often fail to do so, making it difficult for telecommunications companies to respond quickly and restore affected services.

He said the situation was particularly concerning because fibre-optic networks form a critical part of Ghana’s telecommunications infrastructure, carrying large volumes of voice and data traffic across the country.

Any damage to the network, he noted, could disrupt internet connectivity and other communication services, particularly in areas where alternative fibre routes are unavailable.

The Minister further noted that frequent fibre cuts impose high financial costs on telecommunications companies, which must deploy personnel and specialised equipment to locate damaged cables, carry out repairs and restore services.

He warned that the continued destruction of telecommunications infrastructure through illegal mining could undermine the reliability of digital services and worsen network disruptions across the country.