Here are the penalties for destroying fiber optic cables

1 week ago 19

play videoDirector-General of NCA, Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko

The Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, has announced a projected amendment to Section 77 of the Electronic Communications Act that seeks to enforce administrative fines connected individuals who harm telecommunications infrastructure successful Ghana.

The amendment would let for offenders to look transgression prosecution if they neglect to wage the fines, which volition transportation a minimum punishment of 10,000 punishment units.

Ing. Fianko stated that individuals who neglect to wage the fines could look up to 5 years successful prison.

Speaking to GhanaWeb Business connected the sidelines of the motorboat of the Fiber Infrastructure Standards Manual successful Accra connected Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Ing. Fianko explained that the measurement is intended to guarantee radical workout other caution erstwhile moving astir areas wherever fibre cables are laid.

The amendment besides aims to curb the expanding fig of fibre optic cablegram damages and different disruptions to connection infrastructure.

He stated, “Under the projected changes, offenders would beryllium fined 3 times the outgo of repair. In cases wherever fines are not paid, the ministry recommends transgression prosecution, with penalties including a minimum of 10,000 punishment units oregon up to 5 years successful prison, oregon both.”

“This is intended to marque radical other cautious erstwhile moving astir areas wherever these cables are laid. Until radical are punished for these acts, determination volition beryllium nary deterrent,” the NCA brag added.

Damage to telecom infrastructure has severely impacted work prime crossed the country. In immoderate instances, cablegram cuts person disrupted dependable and information services crossed full regions.

The connection is presently nether reappraisal by the Ministry and volition adjacent beryllium submitted to the Attorney General’s Department earlier being laid earlier Parliament.

However, nary circumstantial timeline has been provided for erstwhile the amendments volition beryllium implemented.

SA/MA