On this day, we reflect on the significant fiber outages that occurred on March 14, 2024, affecting four critical submarine cables: SAT-3, MainOne, ACE, and WACS.

This unprecedented event served as a stark reminder of the vital role submarine cables play in connecting Ghana and West Africa to the global digital economy.

As the Association of Submarine Cable Operators in Ghana (ASCOG), we recognize the profound impact that these outages had on businesses, communication, and everyday life across the region. Submarine cables are the backbone of our internet infrastructure, facilitating data transmission, enabling international communication, and supporting economic growth. The disruption of all four cables simultaneously is a rare occurrence, having only happened once in the past 15 years since the establishment of multiple cables in your region.

The challenges posed by such extreme outages are manifold. They can lead to significant disruptions in internet services, affecting everything from personal communications to critical business operations. The economic implications are far-reaching, highlighting need for robust infrastructure and contingency plans to mitigate the impact of future outages.

In light of this anniversary, we urge all stakeholders, government agencies, maritime operators, and the fishing community, to collaborate in safeguarding our submarine cables. We call on fishing trawlers to activate their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and utilize navigational maps to avoid cable routes. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of large vessels steering clear of cable protection zones, which should be expanded to meet international standards to ensure the integrity of underwater infrastructure.

Protecting our submarine cables is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can enhance the resilience of our digital infrastructure and ensure that such outages are minimized in the future. We encourage all stakeholders to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding these critical assets.

ASCOG remains committed to advocating for the protection and enhancement of submarine cable infrastructure in Ghana and West Africa. Together, we can build a more connected and resilient future.