The Chairman of Parliament’s Information and Communications Committee, Hon. Dr. Abednego Lamangin Bandim, has called for urgent action to address frequent telecommunications network disruptions in parts of northern Ghana.
In a press statement issued on 27 September 2026, Dr. Bandim expressed deep concern over the frequency and duration of outages, particularly on the MTN network, and the lack of timely communication to affected consumers.
Recounting a personal experience, he said he encountered a major MTN network disruption on Saturday, 26 September 2026, while travelling from Salaga to Tamale. The network went off at approximately 11:00 a.m. and was not restored until around 6:00 p.m.
He also received reports that several other communities in the northern sector, including parts of the Damongo and Bunkpurugu areas, experienced similar disruptions, with the network reportedly going down again the following morning.
While acknowledging that operators can face unforeseen technical challenges such as fibre cuts, Dr. Bandim stressed that such faults cannot justify leaving consumers without information. He noted that affected customers are often left to speculate about the cause, areas affected, expected duration and restoration efforts.
The MP emphasised that the absence of advance notice should not mean the absence of communication altogether, suggesting that radio, television, social media and other platforms be used when SMS communication is unavailable.
He warned that prolonged outages carry serious implications for healthcare, education, businesses, emergency response and public safety, noting that hospitals, students, researchers and financial transactions all depend on reliable connectivity.
Dr. Bandim called on MTN Ghana to strengthen its communication protocols, urged the National Communications Authority to scrutinise the frequency and duration of disruptions in northern Ghana, and asked operators to develop contingency communication arrangements. He pledged to continue monitoring the situation and engaging stakeholders.
EcowasNewsOnline.com
