Ghana Pushes 4 Major Reforms for Digital Infrastructure Resilience at ITU PP-26

Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Login Top StoriesNewsGeneral NewsEducationHealthOpinionsEconomicsEconomyFinanceBankingInsurancePensionSecurities/MarketsBusinessAgribusinessVaultz BusinessExtractives/EnergyReal EstateWorldAfricaAmericaEuropeUKUSAAsiaAround the GlobeInnovationTechnologyWheelsEntertainment20MOBPL2DNewJobs & ScholarshipsJob VacanciesScholarships No Result View All Result Top StoriesNewsGeneral NewsEducationHealthOpinionsEconomicsEconomyFinanceBankingInsurancePensionSecurities/MarketsBusinessAgribusinessVaultz BusinessExtractives/EnergyReal EstateWorldAfricaAmericaEuropeUKUSAAsiaAround the GlobeInnovationTechnologyWheelsEntertainment20MOBPL2DNewJobs & ScholarshipsJob VacanciesScholarships No Result View All Result No Result View All Result in Innovation, Technology Ghana Pushes 4 Major Reforms for Digital Infrastructure Resilience at ITU PP-26by Gloria Amoah November 11, 2026 Reading Time: 5 mins read Add as Preferred on Google Ghana has called for stronger digital infrastructure resilience through increased investment, improved infrastructure protection and coordinated international action to safeguard telecommunications networks against disruptions.

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), made the call during a High-Level Thematic Discussion on Resilience organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on the sidelines of its Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar.

He warned that telecommunications infrastructure must be designed to withstand emergencies and recover quickly from disruptions, stressing that networks that fail during critical periods become liabilities rather than national assets.

The Minister’s intervention highlighted four priorities: coordinated infrastructure protection, effective regulation, responsible adoption of emerging technologies and stronger international cooperation.

Drawing attention to the simultaneous submarine cable disruptions of March 2024, Mr George explained that the incident exposed vulnerabilities in West Africa’s international connectivity infrastructure.

Despite having multiple submarine cable systems landing in Ghana, the country experienced significant internet disruptions that affected businesses, mobile and fixed data services and other essential activities.

According to the National Communications Authority (NCA), the March 14, 2024 incident affected all four active submarine cable systems serving Ghana at the time: Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), MainOne, SAT-3 and the West Africa Cable System (WACS). The disruptions affected international data traffic and exposed the risks associated with relying on infrastructure that shares vulnerable routes.

“Redundancy on paper is not resilience in practice,” the Minister emphasised, calling for deliberate investments in network diversity and stronger protection mechanisms across the continent. The incident, which also affected several other West African countries, demonstrated how infrastructure failures in one location could disrupt digital services across national borders.

As part of Ghana’s response, Mr George highlighted the proposed Dig Once Policy, which seeks to coordinate telecommunications operators, road contractors, utility providers and local authorities during infrastructure development.

The policy is expected to introduce shared infrastructure mapping and coordinated excavation arrangements to reduce accidental fibre-optic cable cuts during road construction and other civil engineering activities. The proposal, which has been undergoing Cabinet consideration, is intended to reduce infrastructure damage, minimise deployment costs and improve the coordination of public works involving underground utilities.

The Minister also outlined plans for a National Emergency Telecommunications Plan to establish clear procedures for maintaining communication services before, during and after emergencies.The plan is expected to prioritise the restoration of critical services, including hospitals, banks and emergency response institutions, while providing for alternative connectivity options such as satellite communications where necessary.

The National Communications Authority had already commenced stakeholder engagements towards developing Ghana’s first National Emergency Telecommunications Plan in August 2025, with support from the United Nations through the World Food Programme. The proposed framework builds on those preparations by emphasising coordinated emergency response and continuity of essential communications.

Ghana Calls for Stronger Regulation and Emerging Technologies

Beyond infrastructure development, the Minister urged regulators to introduce measures that encourage genuine network diversity, infrastructure sharing and faster restoration of damaged telecommunications systems.

He emphasised the need for regulatory frameworks that make network resilience an operational responsibility rather than merely a technical aspiration. Mr George also highlighted the potential of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital twins, satellite connectivity and renewable energy, to improve network monitoring, anticipate disruptions and maintain services during emergencies.

Artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies, for instance, can support predictive maintenance and help operators identify vulnerabilities before they develop into major service interruptions.

Satellite connectivity and alternative energy sources could also provide backup options when terrestrial networks and conventional power systems are affected. He stressed that such measures must extend beyond major urban centres to ensure that rural communities are not disproportionately affected when disruptions occur.

The Minister further called for stronger cross-border cooperation among governments, telecommunications regulators and infrastructure operators to address risks affecting international connectivity.

He proposed shared risk information, regional repair arrangements and increased financing to diversify international connectivity routes and reduce dependence on vulnerable infrastructure.

Ghana also called on the ITU to adopt a Programme of Action on Resilience with clearly defined responsibilities, implementation timelines and measurable indicators to assess how effectively telecommunications networks withstand and recover from disruptions. The proposal seeks to move international discussions beyond general commitments towards practical measures that countries can implement and evaluate.

The ITU’s PP-26, taking place in Doha from November 9 to 27, 2026, brings together member states to determine the organisation’s strategic direction and address emerging challenges in global telecommunications and digital development. Mr George concluded by underscoring the importance of reliable connectivity to economic activity, public safety and essential services.

“In a digital world, connectivity is not a convenience, it’s a lifeline,” he stated. His remarks reinforced Ghana’s position that protecting digital infrastructure requires sustained investment, effective regulation and international cooperation to ensure that telecommunications networks remain dependable during both ordinary operations and emergencies.

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.