(Ecofin Agency) - A robust digital infrastructure is essential for supporting Africa’s fast-growing digital economy. A resilient internet ecosystem ensures that operations can continue smoothly even during global disruptions, which is critical for maintaining business continuity.

The Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) has called for urgent reforms to bolster the country’s digital infrastructure and prevent future internet disruptions. This was during the fourth Annual Ghana Internet Conference, held on September 18 under the theme “Empowering Ghana: Building a Resilient Local Internet Ecosystem for Business Growth and Continuity.”

GISPA President Michael Nfordzo stressed the need for infrastructure improvements to support Ghana’s fast-growing digital economy. “The recent internet disruptions in our country and across several others in the sub-region, caused by faults in the commercial undersea telecommunication cables (CUTC), highlight the stark reality of our sector's vulnerability if critical investments are ignored,” he said.

He credited the Ghana Internet Exchange (GIX) for mitigating the impact by keeping local traffic within the country but emphasized that more investments are needed to safeguard against future outages.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, pointed out that businesses rely on uninterrupted internet access, and a strong infrastructure is essential for ensuring continuity, even in the face of global disruptions.

On March 14, 2024, Ghana experienced significant internet blackouts, caused by undersea telecommunication cable faults, which led to widespread outages in several African countries. The disruptions affected mobile networks and data providers, underscoring the vulnerabilities in the country’s digital infrastructure.

As GISPA continues to advocate for policies that promote the growth of internet infrastructure in Ghana, the focus remains on ensuring reliable and high-quality communication services for all, particularly businesses dependent on the digital economy.

Hikmatu Bilali