Ghana has urged the international community to adopt a co-ordinated approach to protecting telecommunications networks from disruption and ensuring services can be restored quickly when failures occur.
The call was made by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Samuel Nartey George during a High-Level Thematic Discussion organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Doha, Qatar.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), where the minister set out four priorities for improving the resilience of digital infrastructure: co-ordinated protection of infrastructure, effective regulation, responsible use of emerging technologies and closer cross-border co-operation.
Mr George said governments and regulators should create frameworks that encourage infrastructure sharing and provide multiple network routes. He also called for quicker approvals for right-of-way access and timely repairs when network damage occurs.
He stressed that resilience should not be limited to major urban centres. Rural communities must also be covered, while network operators should have measurable obligations to restore services after an outage or other disruption.
Technology and network protection
The minister identified several technologies that could help telecommunications providers prepare for and respond to failures.
Artificial intelligence (AI), he said, could be used for predictive maintenance and the early detection of threats. Digital twins could allow operators to test network performance, while satellite connectivity could provide a backup when terrestrial systems are unavailable.
He also pointed to solar-powered systems as a way of keeping telecommunications sites operating during power outages.
However, Mr George said these technologies would need to be accompanied by strong cybersecurity and data protection measures. Building local technical expertise would also be essential to ensure countries could deploy and maintain the systems effectively.
He called for stronger regional arrangements to support the protection and repair of shared infrastructure. These should include the exchange of information about risks, co-ordinated plans for repairing damaged cables and faster clearance for vessels involved in repair work.
The minister also urged greater financial support for developing countries, enabling them to diversify their international connectivity routes and reduce their dependence on individual links.
Proposed ITU action
As part of his main proposal, Mr George asked the ITU to establish a Programme of Action on Resilience. He said the programme should set out clear responsibilities and deadlines, alongside measurable indicators for assessing network performance during disruptions.
Ghana was ready to support the initiative, he added, describing digital infrastructure protection as a shared duty involving governments, regulators, operators and international partners.
“In a digital world, connectivity is not a convenience; it’s a lifeline,” the minister said.
