*Frequent MTN Network Disruptions In Northern Ghana: Parliament's Communications Committee Chair Demands Urgent Action From MTN, NCA*

The Chairman of Parliament's Committee on Information and Communications, Hon. Dr. Abednego Lamangin Bandim, has raised serious concerns over frequent telecommunications network disruptions in northern Ghana, particularly on the MTN network.

In a statement issued for immediate release on Monday, September 28th,  the Chairman said the frequency, duration and poor communication around the outages are unacceptable.

"I wish to express my deepest concern about the frequent disruptions to telecommunications services, particularly the MTN network, in parts of northern Ghana," he stated.

Dr. Bandim disclosed that he personally experienced a major MTN network outage on Saturday, September 26, while traveling from Salaga to Tamale.

"On Saturday, 26 September 2026, I personally experienced a major disruption to the MTN network while travelling from Salaga to Tamale. The network went off at approximately 11:00 a.m. and was not restored until around 6:00 p.m."

He said he has received reports that several other communities in the northern sector, including parts of Damongo and Bunkpurugu, experienced similar disruptions, with another outage recorded on Monday morning.

While acknowledging that telecom operators face unforeseen technical challenges such as fibre cuts, Dr. Bandim said that cannot be an excuse for keeping consumers in the dark.

"What concerns me most is that when these disruptions occur, affected consumers are often left to speculate about what has happened. There is little or no direct communication to explain the cause of the outage, the areas affected, the expected duration, or the steps being taken to restore service."

He noted that even where SMS alerts are impossible because the network is down, operators can still use radio, television and social media to inform the public.

"I appreciate that in some instances, the nature of a fault may make it impossible for a network operator to provide advance notice. However, the absence of advance notice cannot mean the absence of communication altogether."

The Committee Chairman warned that the outages go beyond mere inconvenience, with far-reaching consequences for critical sectors.

"I am particularly concerned about the implications of prolonged telecommunications outages for healthcare, education, businesses, emergency response and public safety."

He explained: "A disruption lasting several hours is not merely an inconvenience. 

In our hospitals, for instance, patients may be unable to communicate with relatives, relatives may be unable to reach healthcare facilities, and health professionals may face difficulties communicating with one another where such communication is necessary for the provision of healthcare."

He added that students, researchers, businesses, financial services, transport operators and media houses that depend heavily on reliable connectivity are also severely affected.

Dr. Bandim is therefore calling for urgent reforms in how network disruptions are handled.

"I therefore believe that consumers must be placed at the centre of the response to network disruptions. It is not sufficient for a telecommunications operator to communicate only with the relevant authorities while affected consumers remain uninformed."

He assured that the Committee will continue to monitor the situation and engage stakeholders to understand the root causes and preventive measures.

"We cannot continue to accept a situation where communities are repeatedly disconnected from essential communication services and are then left without any meaningful explanation. 

Reliable telecommunications services are no longer a luxury. They are an essential part of healthcare, education, commerce, emergency response and everyday life," the statement concluded.

"I therefore urge MTN Ghana and the relevant regulatory authorities to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and ensure that consumers, particularly those in northern Ghana, receive reliable services and timely information whenever disruptions occur."

Report filed by PkB