Director-General of NCA, Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko
The Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, has announced a proposed amendment to Section 77 of the Electronic Communications Act that seeks to impose administrative fines on individuals who damage telecommunications infrastructure in Ghana.
The amendment would allow for offenders to face criminal prosecution if they fail to pay the fines, which will carry a minimum penalty of 10,000 penalty units.
Ing. Fianko stated that individuals who fail to pay the fines could face up to five years in prison.
Speaking to GhanaWeb Business on the sidelines of the launch of the Fiber Infrastructure Standards Manual in Accra on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Ing. Fianko explained that the measure is intended to ensure people exercise extra caution when working around areas where fiber cables are laid.
The amendment also aims to curb the increasing number of fiber optic cable damages and other disruptions to communication infrastructure.
He stated, “Under the proposed changes, offenders would be fined three times the cost of repair. In cases where fines are not paid, the ministry recommends criminal prosecution, with penalties including a minimum of 10,000 penalty units or up to five years in prison, or both.”
“This is intended to make people extra careful when working around areas where these cables are laid. Until people are punished for these acts, there will be no deterrent,” the NCA boss added.
Damage to telecom infrastructure has severely impacted service quality across the country. In some instances, cable cuts have disrupted voice and data services across entire regions.
The proposal is currently under review by the Ministry and will next be submitted to the Attorney General’s Department before being laid before Parliament.
However, no specific timeline has been provided for when the amendments will be implemented.
SA/MA
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