Internet disruption hits Ghana after subsea cable cut
Ghanaian internet users experienced service disruptions over the weekend after a subsea cable was damaged off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, MTN Ghana has confirmed.
The outage affected mobile data and fixed broadband services across several parts of the country, prompting complaints about slow speeds, failed transactions, and dropped calls. The disruption comes at a time when digital payments, remote work, and online services are a core part of daily life in Accra and other urban centers.
Cause of the Outage
Subsea cables carry more than 90% of Ghana’s international internet traffic. When a cable is cut or damaged, traffic must be rerouted through alternative paths, often resulting in congestion and latency. MTN said engineers were working with international partners to restore full capacity.
The timing is significant for businesses. E-commerce platforms, fintech apps, and schools relying on online platforms all reported intermittent access issues. Tricycle operators’ associations and market traders also flagged delays in mobile money settlements.
Government and Industry Response
The Ministry of Communications has urged calm while repairs are underway. The incident has also renewed calls for Ghana to diversify its cable landing points and invest in redundancy. ExploreCo, the operating arm of GNPC, is already moving toward onshore petroleum drilling, but telecoms experts say similar investment is needed in digital infrastructure.
Meanwhile, businesses have been advised to activate backup connectivity where possible. “We understand the frustration,” MTN said in a statement, “and we are prioritizing restoration to ensure customers are back online as soon as possible.”
For many Ghanaians, the outage is a reminder of how dependent the economy has become on a stable internet. As repairs continue, the focus will be on minimizing downtime and strengthening resilience against future cable faults.
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