Accra: Telecel Ghana has called for a stronger partnership with the media to promote accurate reporting and improve upon public understanding of developments, challenges, and investments in Ghana's telecommunications sector. The call was made at a media roundtable organized by Telecel Ghana for editors and journalists from the Western and Central regions, as part of efforts to deepen engagement with the media and provide journalists with first-hand information on the company's operations.
According to Ghana News Agency, the media remains a critical partner in helping telecommunications companies communicate effectively with the public, particularly on issues that directly affect consumers. Mr. Komla Buami, Director of External Affairs at Telecel Ghana, emphasized the crucial role of editors in communities, stating, "Editors occupy a unique space in the communities we serve; you help shape public discourse, bring important issues to the fore, and ensure that people have access to credible information."
Mr. Buami highlighted that network expansion and upgrades remain a major priority for the company as it seeks to improve connectivity and service quality across the country. The company continues to invest in infrastructure to extend quality telecommunications services to customers, particularly in underserved communities and the hinterland. The network investments are aimed at improving coverage and ensuring that customers can access reliable voice and data services.
A major issue highlighted during the engagement was the persistent challenge of fibre cuts and damage to telecommunications infrastructure. Mr. Buami stated that fibre cuts remain a significant challenge affecting network reliability, with road construction activities being among the major causes. He also noted that deliberate vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure contribute to service disruptions.
Mr. Buami appealed to contractors, communities, and other stakeholders to exercise caution when undertaking construction and excavation activities around telecommunications infrastructure. He explained that damage to fibre infrastructure could affect telecommunications services beyond the immediate location of the incident because fibre networks form an important part of the infrastructure carrying voice and data traffic. Additionally, he expressed concern about the theft of fibre chamber covers, which exposes critical infrastructure to damage and creates additional operational challenges for network operators.