If Batteries Are Stolen, Rural Network Sites Go Off – Sam George Warns

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has sounded a strong warning against the theft of solar batteries and equipment at rural telecommunication sites, cautioning that vandalism directly shuts down network coverage for entire communities.

Speaking during an inspection tour of rural telephony installations in the Central Afram Plains, the Minister highlighted battery theft and electricity instability as the leading causes of service blackouts across remote areas. Sam George explained that whenever Members of Parliament or community members complain about non-functional telecom masts, technical teams dispatched to investigate frequently discover that battery banks supporting the solar-powered infrastructure have been stolen or tampered with.

The Minister emphasized that rural telecom infrastructure relies heavily on these backup batteries to maintain uninterrupted connectivity, especially in off-grid locations. When thieves target the power storage units, the entire transmission site goes offline immediately, leaving residents without access to mobile network signals, emergency communications, or digital financial services.

To combat the growing menace, Sam George appealed directly to traditional leaders, youth groups, and local authorities to take active ownership and protect telecommunication assets within their jurisdictions. He stressed that state agencies like the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and private operators invest substantial capital to bring connectivity to underserved populations, but these investments cannot survive without community-level vigilancy.

The Minister reiterated that law enforcement agencies have been tasked to prosecute anyone caught vandalizing or buying stolen telecom infrastructure. He urged district assemblies to collaborate closely with security services to safeguard installations, ensuring that rural communities retain consistent and reliable access to Ghana’s expanding digital ecosystem.

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