MTN Ghana has attributed ongoing internet and connectivity disruptions affecting customers across the country to damage to undersea fibre-optic cables off the coast of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, assuring subscribers that efforts are underway with international partners to restore normal services.
In a public statement, the telecommunications company said the cable cuts have affected internet connectivity not only in Ghana but also in several countries across the West African sub-region that rely on the same international communications infrastructure.
“MTN Ghana would like to inform our customers that undersea cable cuts off the coast of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire are affecting connectivity and internet services in Ghana and some countries in the subregion.”
MTN Ghana
The operator explained that the disruption originates from damage to critical submarine communication cables, which serve as major international gateways for internet and data traffic into Ghana and neighbouring countries.
Such cables carry vast amounts of voice, internet and digital communications between continents and are essential to the operation of telecommunications networks.
Countries and Services Affected
Although MTN Ghana did not specify which submarine cable systems were affected or the extent of the damage, disruptions to undersea cables have historically resulted in slower internet speeds, intermittent connectivity and temporary service outages for millions of users across West Africa.
The company said it is working closely with its international partners to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. “We are actively engaging our international partners to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” the statement added.
The announcement comes as many customers have reported experiencing unstable internet connections, slow browsing speeds and intermittent service interruptions in recent days.
Businesses, financial institutions, educational establishments and individuals that depend on reliable internet services have also been affected by the disruptions.
Ghana’s telecommunications sector relies heavily on multiple submarine cable systems that connect the country to the global internet. These cables provide redundancy and capacity for internet service providers and mobile network operators.
However, damage to one or more of these systems can significantly reduce available bandwidth and affect the quality of services until repairs are completed or traffic is rerouted through alternative routes.
Industry experts note that submarine cable faults can occur for several reasons, including fishing activities, ship anchors, underwater landslides and natural geological events.
Repair operations often require specialised cable repair vessels to locate the damaged sections, retrieve the cables from the seabed and carry out splicing work before services can be fully restored. Depending on the location and severity of the fault, repairs may take several days or even weeks.
While telecommunications companies typically maintain backup routes to minimise disruptions, major cable failures can still affect network performance, particularly during periods of high demand.
Ongoing Monitoring and Updates
MTN Ghana’s statement indicates that the disruption extends beyond the country’s borders, highlighting the regional nature of the incident. Several West African nations share submarine cable infrastructure that lands along the Atlantic coast, making multiple countries vulnerable when faults occur on key international links.
The company apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the service interruptions. “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the statement concluded.
The operator did not indicate whether customers would receive compensation for the disruptions or whether any temporary measures had been implemented to improve service quality while repair works continue.
Telecommunications analysts say operators often reroute traffic through alternative cable systems where capacity is available. However, these contingency measures may not fully restore normal network performance, particularly if several providers are competing for limited backup capacity.
Reliable internet connectivity has become increasingly important in Ghana’s digital economy, supporting online banking, e-commerce, remote work, digital education and government services. Any prolonged disruption can therefore have significant economic and social implications for businesses and consumers alike.
Customers are expected to continue experiencing varying levels of service degradation until the affected submarine infrastructure is repaired and full network capacity is restored.
MTN Ghana has assured subscribers that it will continue working with international stakeholders to address the problem and restore normal connectivity at the earliest opportunity. The company has not announced when it will provide its next update on the situation.
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