Galamsey destroying Ghana's digital backbone: 1 in 4 fibre cuts linked to illegal mining

Ghana's telecommunications infrastructure is under serious threat from illegal mining activities, with galamsey operators responsible for approximately one in every four fibre-optic cable cuts recorded across the country, Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has revealed.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 7, Mr George disclosed that the destruction of underground cables by illegal miners represents a critical vulnerability in Ghana's digital backbone. The telecom sector, he noted, ranks among the worst-hit industries by galamsey operations, with the damage compounding existing infrastructure challenges in areas lacking alternative fibre routes.

The scale of the problem

While road construction and private development projects also damage fibre infrastructure, galamsey causes a disproportionate share of disruptions. A key difference distinguishes illegal mining from legitimate construction: road contractors typically report incidents where their activities damage cables, enabling rapid response and repair. Illegal miners, however, frequently fail to notify telecommunications companies or authorities after cutting cables during excavation, leaving operators unable to quickly identify and restore damaged sections of the network.

This communication gap creates cascading problems. When cables are cut, telecommunications companies must deploy specialised personnel and equipment to locate damage, excavate affected areas, and restore service—a costly and time-consuming process. The lack of notification from galamsey sites means these repairs often occur only after service outages, leaving users without internet, voice calls, and other critical digital services.

Why it matters for Ghana

Fibre-optic networks form the critical backbone of Ghana's telecommunications system, carrying the vast majority of voice and data traffic nationwide. Repeated cuts impose significant financial and operational burdens on telecom operators, costs that are ultimately reflected in service quality and pricing for consumers.

For ordinary Ghanaians, the implications are direct. Network disruptions affect internet access for remote work, online education, digital payments, and emergency communications. In rural areas or regions without alternative fibre routes, a single cut can leave communities without reliable connectivity for extended periods. Businesses dependent on consistent internet connection—from online traders to financial services providers—face losses during outages.

The broader economic impact is substantial. Ghana's digital economy and tech sector depend on reliable telecommunications infrastructure. Government initiatives promoting digital transformation, online business, and e-governance require stable networks. When galamsey repeatedly cuts these connections, it undermines digital confidence and investment.

The illegal mining crisis deepens

Galamsey has become one of Ghana's most pressing national challenges, damaging not only telecommunications but also water bodies, agricultural land, and the environment. The sector's reach now extends to critical infrastructure that underpins modern society. Minister George's disclosure reflects growing concern that illegal mining threatens not just natural resources but the digital systems essential to contemporary Ghana.

The challenge requires coordinated action across multiple fronts: stronger enforcement against illegal miners, infrastructure hardening to protect cables in high-risk zones, and improved coordination between mining enforcement agencies and telecommunications companies to ensure rapid reporting and repair of damage.

Without urgent intervention, the continued destruction of fibre infrastructure by galamsey operations risks degrading Ghana's digital services and hampering the country's broader development agenda.