Ghana to Implement ‘Dig Once’ Policy to Combat 8,000 Annual Fibre Cuts and Drive 5G Expansion

The Government of Ghana has announced a landmark "Dig Once" policy designed to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure and drastically reduce the cost of digital expansion. This initiative comes as the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications sounds a frantic alarm over more than 8,000 annual fibre cuts, which have severely hampered network stability and drained the resources of service providers. Speaking at the 15th anniversary of the Chamber, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, outlined a strategic roadmap to stabilize the sector while aiming for 70% 5G coverage across the country by March 2027. The current situation remains critical for telecom operators, who face a persistent cycle of infrastructure damage. According to Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the high frequency of fibre cuts—often caused by road construction and a lack of coordination—forces companies to divert massive financial and operational resources away from network expansion into constant repairs. This cycle not only threatens service reliability for millions of users but also slows down the development of the nation’s digital economy. Industry leaders have stressed that without adequate protection of existing infrastructure, sustainable growth and digital inclusion remain difficult to achieve. To address these bottlenecks, the "Dig Once" policy will mandate that all new road construction projects include the installation of underground fibre ducts. This move is expected to reduce fibre optic deployment costs by nearly 60%, as it removes the need for telecom companies to undertake independent, expensive excavations. Minister Sam George revealed that the draft policy is currently finalized for Cabinet review, with formal approval expected by the third quarter of this year. By streamlining the installation process, the government aims to create a more efficient environment for private sector investment in high-speed internet infrastructure. Beyond infrastructure protection, the government is focusing on policy reforms and spectrum management to deepen the social and economic benefits of 5G technology. Upcoming competitive bidding processes for spectrum allocation are central to this strategy, ensuring that Ghana remains on track to meet its ambitious 2027 connectivity targets. These reforms, coupled with the "Dig Once" initiative, represent a comprehensive effort to build a resilient digital foundation that supports innovation and broadens access to the internet for all Ghanaians.