Dr. Abednego Bandim Demands Urgent Action from MTN and NCA Over Northern Ghana Network Outages

Dr. Abednego Lamangin Bandim, the Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Information and Communications, has issued a stern call to MTN Ghana and the National Communications Authority (NCA) to address the frequent and debilitating network disruptions plaguing the northern regions of the country. Expressing deep concern over the unreliability of telecommunications services, Dr. Bandim emphasized that these outages have moved beyond mere inconveniences, becoming significant barriers to the region's socio-economic development and public safety. He urged both the leading service provider and the regulator to take immediate steps to stabilize connectivity and restore public confidence.

The Chairman’s call for action was prompted by his firsthand experience during a recent trip from Salaga to Tamale, where he encountered a total network failure that lasted approximately seven hours. This outage left him—and countless other residents—without the ability to communicate or access digital services. Dr. Bandim noted that such disruptions are not isolated incidents, citing similar reports from communities such as Damongo and Bunkpurugu. He highlighted the severe implications for essential services, including healthcare delivery, educational activities, and emergency response systems, all of which rely heavily on stable digital infrastructure to function effectively in the modern era.

A central theme of Dr. Bandim’s critique was the lack of transparency and proactive communication from MTN Ghana during service downtimes. He argued that when networks fail, operators have a professional and ethical duty to keep the public informed about the causes of the disruption, the specific areas affected, and the estimated time for resolution. Dr. Bandim advocated for the implementation of improved communication protocols, suggesting that service providers should utilize alternative platforms to update consumers when traditional SMS services are unavailable. He stressed that leaving customers "in the dark" during outages exacerbates the frustration and potential danger of the situation.

Moving forward, Dr. Bandim called on the National Communications Authority to intensify its monitoring of service quality and ensure that telecommunications operators fulfill their license obligations to consumers. He reaffirmed his committee’s commitment to engaging with all relevant stakeholders to find a permanent solution to the regional connectivity crisis. By promising to closely monitor the situation, Dr. Bandim signaled that Parliament will continue to hold both the private sector and the regulator accountable for providing the reliable telecommunications infrastructure essential for daily life and business in Ghana.